Ok, so I bought the truck from this lady (and I use that term loosly) in good faith because of a reference from a friend. She tells me it had a new motor put in about 65000-75000 miles ago, and then the first hard freeze, it cracks the block behind the water pump. So I made up my mind I would drop in a new one, my first on a ford, and now I have found that the starter is next to impossile to remove. My question, before I begin that battle is can the motor be pulled while leaving the starter behind?

 

The starter is easy to remove?????

Its 3 bolts and some wrenches. I have changed them in 20minutes.

What engine does the truck have?

 

No. It's a bugger to get it, but it's possible with the right extensions, Take the passenger wheel well splash guard out, makes it a lot easier.

BTW, what year, engine and drive train (4x4 or 4x2)

If your hung up on the starter, you may want to consider looking for some help... just saying. The intake manifold will also have to come off to clear the firewall during removal.

 

The starter on mine was a PITA to get out. The top bolt was in there so tight I ended up stripping it and had to get a torch to cut it off

 

The one on my 4.6 was fairly easy to get off. It was a little tight fitting in there but nothing impossible.