Got a question on my trans swap. I put a T-5 trans behind my 302 in my 54 ford pick up which originally had a AOD. I used the same starter and it doesn't seem to be disengaging all the way. has any here done the swap and had the same problem? thinking of trying a starter shim.\\


bill

 

I just bought a MSD high torque starter and the instructions address the spacing issue in detail. Perhaps you could do a web search on this product and learn a little more.

 

Back in the day we used a big paper clip to check the clearance between the ring gear and the gear on the starter. We'd fold out one of the ends and slip it in between the two gears.

 

Toby, I have a full face starter plate and can't get to the starter. It does not do it all the time so I am wondering if it could be just a bad drive gear not retracting all the way. Is that possibility?


bill

 

Hey Bill,
I am not an expert in much of anything, but here is a link to a thread that might help a little. I put a starter my 351. Not a 302 but same family and I think the starters are interchangeable, so the info might clarify a little for you...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...arter-fit.html

 

My understanding is that the Auto starter end frame is
longer that one for a manual. They are different starters.
And different block plates between the Auto and Manual.
I am having problems with my Bronk with a 351W HO and C6.
I have concluded that the block plate is an 86 or newer and
doesn't index the starter close enough to the ring gear. I drilled out
the top hole on the end frame so to roll the starter in a fraction.
That helped for about a 100 starts than it slipped again. I than found
a 10 tooth starter drive instead of the stock 9 tooth. It was for a 1.9
Escort. Now it works fantastic so far. In fact I may have to loosen it
and relax it back out away from the ring gear to the stock position as
it is now meshing a little to tight and hangs once in a while like yours.
I hope this will give you some information to help you with your
problem. I believe the 351 and 302W engines are the same at the
bell housing/block plate area.

 

Bill,
the auto and manual starters were the same for SBF in the years that were available with T5s . You may be right and have a bad starter drive or other issue.

 

I have had them hang up now and then after the engine was good and warm. Pulled them and lubed up every thing that moved. I like PB Lube nowadays but most any light oil would probably work too. When they hang up it's one of those annoying things that when you finally figure out what caused it, it's like the little AlkaSeltzer boy" Oh what a relief it is".

 

I used to go burn up starters on my 351w all the time. they were remanufactured ones from autozone. I tried shimming, no shims. no matter what they would last about 4 months and then i would burn them up. Bought a new good one from Napa and lasted up until i sold the car.