Motorcraft starter

RAMBOv10 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 09:11 PM

I posted this in the 87 up forum but since the starter is more like the 80 to 86 I thought I would post here also. Has anyone tried the MotorCraft starters at AdvanceAuto? I am working on my uncle's 1989 F-250 with a 351. It has the dreaded hard to crank problem when hot. I have cleaned all the ground and checked for a voltage drop and have pretty much determined that it is the starter. I can go to a dealer and get one, but since I have already bought one starter at Advance I can get a Motorcraft there and just have to pay the difference from the other starter.

Thanks, Daniel

jason85351 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 09:44 PM

If it's cranking hard i would go with a high torque starter they run around 150 bucks but well worth it.

RAMBOv10 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 07:01 PM

It only cranks slow after it gets hot, when it is cold it cranks over just fine. Where are the high torgue starters sold?

jason85351 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 07:19 PM

The high torque starters can be found in summit or jegs it should help it when the engine is hot. Does it have long tube headers?

Piffery1 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 08:10 PM

I've never had problems on stock engines with standard starters (that were in good condition). Only times I ever needed high torque starters was on engines with increased compression ratios.
First thing I'd do is load test the battery with everything at normal operating temperature. Use a tester with at least 100 A. draw, 500 A. is better.

Franklin2 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 09:25 PM

Has anyone checked the timing? It looks like it's fuel injected, but someone could still monkey with the timing and get it too far advanced if they did not know the procedure on how to set it.

I just worked on a fuel injected vehicle that ran ok, but pinged when hot. I checked the timing and it was 16 degrees off. The poor old computer was trying to pull it back where it belonged, but 16 was just too much for it.

RAMBOv10 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 02:32 PM

Just to let anyone know if this happens to them. After trying two starters at advance auto, cleaning grounds and checking cables I finally put a motorcraft starter on and it solved all my problems. Truck starts great everytime cold or hot.