What does it look like? I'm in the process of pulling my tranny using the tilting trick and I'm at the point where I need to remove the starter, removed the dust shield, then re-install the starter. I'm not really seeing anything that looks like a dust shield. Does anyone have pics of it?

There is a shield on the bottom of the trans bell housing that protects the starter head, flywheel and the clutch or torque converter. There may also be a small tin piece bolted to the starter head depending what trans you are dealing with. If the starter was ever replaced they may have left it off.

The only other shields that might be on the starter itself would be heat shields. allot of cars don't have them. (If they are gone finding replacements is a good idea.)

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The only thing George Orwell got wrong was the year.

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

You can see the edge of the dust shield on my Getrag in this picture, it's the black sheet metal piece with the rolled edge, the nose of the starter sticks through it:

JazzMan

Thanks for the replies. Just so I'm sure, the shield is the part I circled in green below correct?

I think he was talking about the thing I outlined in red.

(hit f5 if the picture doesnt load, my host is weird)

quote it's the black sheet metal piece with the rolled edge, the nose of the starter sticks through it

If I read correctly, it's the thing with the curved metal edge. Also, the starter sticks through it, so it has to be that.

[This message has been edited by gumert (edited 03-21-2004).]

Ok, great. As soon as it warms up a little this week I should be able to drop that cradle down and get my tranny out. Wish me luck, this the most torn down I've ever had my poor Fiero. The last big thing was replacing the rear struts and a sticking fuel injector.

Hmmm... when I did this to my coupe I didn't remove the starter to take out the inspection shield/plate (what you circled in red is that plate). I just took out the 4-10mm screw bolts holding it on, and just let it hang. Didn't seem to be any real reason to completely remove it since it doesn't get in the way of anything. I believe the Ed Parks instructions refer to an actual heat shield that is mounted around the starter that most cars have since lost over the years since mechanic's don't bother to reinstall it.

[This message has been edited by 88-DOHC (edited 03-21-2004).]