The Buick Century name was introduced in 1936, and was part of the Buick line of cars intermittently until 2005. The 2000 Buick Century was equipped with a 3.1-liter V-6, capable of producing 175-horsepower, and 195 foot-pounds of torque. The starter on the 2000 Century is mounted to the front of the transmission. The starter turns the flywheel in between the transmission and engine, to create the inertia to turn the engine over until the combustion cycle starts.
Lift the front of the century using a 2-ton jack or a jack with greater capacity. Place jack stands beneath the front sub-frame. The sub-frame is a narrowed frame that holds the transmission and engine from underneath. Alternatively, drive the Century onto two vehicle ramps.
Raise the hood of the Buick and disconnect the negative battery cable. Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket to loosen the battery tie down nut, and remove the cable from the battery by hand.
Lay beneath the front of the Century and slide your body under the front of the car, so that you can physically access the starter. The starter on the 2000 Century 3.1-liter engine is located on the bottom front of the engine. Remove the electrical connectors from the starter using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket to remove the connector tie down nuts. When the tie down nuts are removed, pull the electrical connectors off by hand.
Remove the two starter mounting bolts using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. If necessary, add a 6-inch extension to access the rear mounted starter bolt -- the bolt is recessed between the engine and starter. Hold the starter with one hand while removing the second mounting bolt, so the starter does not fall onto you. Remove the starter completely form the Buick once you have removed the second mounting bolt.
Hold the new starter near the front of the engine, and mount the starter horizontally into the mounting position. The starter slides horizontally into a small mounting hole in the front of the transmission.
Hold the starter with one hand while you start the front starter mounting bolt with your other hand. Install the rear starter mounting bolt once the starter is held up by the front bolt. Tighten both starter mounting bolts down, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket set. Use a 6-inch extension, if necessary.
Install the electrical connectors onto the new starter, and tighten the tie down nuts onto the starter with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Do not torque the tie down nuts. Snug the nuts with the ratchet and socket, then turn the ratchet 1/4 turn farther. The "snug-and-a-quarter" turn method will ensure that you do not over tighten the nut and possibly brake the electrical threaded stems coming from the new starter.
Lift the Century off of the jack stands using a 2-ton jack. Remove the jack stands from beneath the car. Lower the car to the ground. Reinstall the negative battery cable to the battery, and tighten the tie down nut on the cable using the "snug-and-a-quarter" turn method.
