I posted this in my Bronco thread but the Mod in the bra said
I should move it here. Howdy Dylan


.
So okay I had to get a tow from an S10 the day before
yesterday. Sad but true. The Battery went bad and in the
proses of diagnosing that the low volts got the starter to
slip a little. A few months ago I drilled out the upper starter
bolt hole and again pried the starter hard over on top and
closer to the ring gear. It has been working great. Until the
battery took a dump. When the storm passes I will drill out
my spare starter and see if she will go again. As the one in
here was just too worn to catch any at all. If this don't work
than I am in need of replacing the ring gear again. Not fun in
the back yard in winter in Alaska. None of the local shops have
time or any interest in doing it. But I want a 5 speed in the worst
way. I could have bump started it the other day If I had a manual
and not have lost any face. So what to do. Is the Block/indexing
plate the cause of eating starter drives and ring gears? Will it go away
if I again replace them? And where do I find a donor 1/2 ton 5 speed
in the mid 80's to part out for the trans swap? There just isn't one on
this rock to be had. So I have to find one in a salvage yard in the
Seattle area. And hope they will send everything I need.
So here is the big question we are waiting for. Is there any among you
in that area willing to help?

Link to my Bronco thread here

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15079067

 

How's it going bud? Well, I guess not so great.. We got some very knowledgeable folks in this chapter. I'm not too savvy myself but I think you'll get some responses soon.

For the ZF5, maybe some specifics will help. Do you plan to rebuild there, need one rebuilt here, or try to avoid a rebuild all together? There may also be a drive line discrepancy where the C-6 line is too short.

 

On the tranny PM oddfordjunkie, he has been making a few extra bucks searching out parts in local yards.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Profile: oddfordjunkie

 

Hey Dylan, Guy's I am getting ready to fly over to K Town for
an appointment. So I only got a minute on here. The trans can
be used with some kind of Warranty. Like at least 30 days so one
would know it at least works well. A ZF or an M5OD would work.
would need to be a complete package with clutch, peddles and all.
I can get the shaft done up here. It would also need to have the
transfer case or be able to bolt to mine. It is listed in the other thread.
So I am off to town for the day. Will check in when I get back or
in the morning.

Thanks Rich

 

So? Anyone? What is my problem if with a new ring gear and starter that
I have to drill out the top hole and twist the starter into the ring gear?
What is worn or the wrong part or what ever? Is something amiss with the block
plate that is suppose to index the starter to the ring gear? If not than what could
it be? I will drill out the spare starter and see if I can get it to work long enough
to get the Bronk to whom ever to do the tranny swap to the M5OD. Please
any Ideas at all Guys. I know we have been over this before but I don't remember
getting an answer I understood. Any input or info would be so great right now.
Having the Bronk inop is almost like having just lost my dog. I am really at a loss.
__________________

 

We have began to discuss options in PMs but may as well here. I will read through your Bronco thread to get an idea what you have going on.

Sound like you have the wrong size flexplate/ring gear in there.

 

John As I understand it there is a lot of difference between the
164? Tooth and the 150 something tooth flywheels. If I had the
wrong one I doubt it would even touch. When reading the other
thread there was some talk about having the wrong block plate.
IDK if this is possible either. At this point (while waiting on the M5OD)
I want to try the 10 tooth drive for for the 1.9. As soon as I have the
energy and weather I will pull the new starter that don't work out
than drill out the top hole and take some off the block plate.
than rotate the starter into the gear again and hope it will work
for a bit.

I don't get to town often but when I do I will ask Napa about the
10 tooth starter drive. I will even take a starter with me to see if
it fits. Any more info on this mod would me great.

 

A lot of work to remove the block plate, but if you do then you'll know for sure which size ring gear you have.

I find it odd that the starter can move over at all, the block plate shouldn't allow that to happen unless you've trimmed the starter opening in it. Maybe if you move the new starter over you could use something to fill the void and prevent it from backing away.

 

When I got the Bronco it had just had the flywheel and starter replaced because
of this problem. I have tried many different starters and it works best to drill it out as I have stated.
Can it be possible that it has some wrong block plate in it? I have been doing these Fords for 30+ years
and have never seen anything like this. I really don't
know. But I only want to pull this C6 once in my life and at that time put in the M5OD.
But for know I would like to learn the problem. Where is the guy that suggested The
Escort 1.9 starter drive. I need more input like Johnny 5 does.

 

What is this block plate you speak of? Do you mean the "plate" that sits between the engine and bell housing?

 

Yes, the piece of sheet metal between engine and transmission.

Kind of a location based speech deal: Tomato-Toma'to, Bed-Box, Distributor-Dizzy so on and so forth.

 

I have always called it an indexing plate as it indexes the
starter. But ND Bill corrected me and said Ford calls it a block
plate if they call it anything. Does anyone know if there is
more than one and maybe I have the wrong one? I don't think
this Bronco left the plant this way. And have no Idea how many
times the thing has been apart or why. I know it had just had
a new flex and starter put in when I bought it. And that it was
done because of this problem and is why it was sold to me so
cheap. I knew it had a problem when the PO started it for me.
It died several times and he had to crank a lot to get it going.
It has a manual choke and he never used it. For me with the
choke It will turn over 3 or 4 turns and fires every time. She
starts better than most auto chokes I have had when ya know how.
I am about to go out and pull the starter we stuck in along side
the road. Than drill it out and look and see how worn the ring
gear is. And maybe grind some off the indexing plate to let it
swing in a bit more. IDK. I got the temperamental Civic to use.
But I was told I look like a Monkey loving a foot ball when driving.
And folks get mad as hell when It smokes them out at the store
parking lot. Valve guide seals and cover gasket sitting at my feet.
But it starts and rolls so don't fix what ain't broke that bad I say.
It's just a $200.00 Honda. Well double that with the new front tires,
seals, gasket and a cheap repair manual so I can adjust the head lights.

 

Okay Guys I have the new starter that would not engage the ring gear
out. I drilled the top hole oversized as I did the last one that worked so
well. Now with what John has said I wonder if I should grind some off
the block plate to try and let it come in some or not? I have the dremal
tool out and ready but I wonder. What's you all thoughts on this? It's like
a wind chill of Damn cold out there and wet and muddy. Chating on here
is much more better than crawling back under. I had my GF under there
at first but she couldn't break the bolts loose. This tells me that it had not slipped.
They was damn tight plus a half turn when I finally went under
and broke them loose. My fear is even with the oversize top hole that
the block plate will still keep it from rolling in enough to make it
engage. The ring gear still looks like new with just a slight shine to
the outer edge of the teeth. The old starter drive was about 25% ground
off though. I guess the drive is a bit softer than the ring. Or being smaller
takes the wear. IDK. What say you?

 

Okay Guys an update as the last starter didn't work

Hey guys my Bronk is Alive!!! Woo Hoo Matey. I got the 10 tooth starter drive
in for a 1.9 Escort engine. Put it on one of the 9 tooth starters I had
already over-sized the top hole on. I twisted the starter in as much as
it would go. Maybe a 1/16. And this truck starts like new. I can just barely
hear the starter crank the engine it is so smooth. Life is good when you live
it with a running Bronk.
Did I say I love my Bronk. I am still looking to swap the C6 out for a 5
speed. So I am looking for an F150 with a 5 speed I can strip all I need
from. I have yet to find one local to me so I am open for anything you
all can come up with. I think 86 to like 97 but not sure. 4X4 of course.

 

Glad to hear it. Things have been really busy with us moving and all but will be back to hunting for your donor shortly.