i have a 78 f150 with a 4 speed graany gear tranny and 400 ci engine in it. engine is out of a 71-74 ford passenger car. when i try to start it it will grind. i found out it is a problem with my starter not properly engaging with the flywheel. i pulled the tranny awhile back and took the flywheel off because of the same grinding. had the flywheel resurfaced new 180 tooth ring gear pressed on(same tooth count as when i took it off) and bought a new clutch. not the original starter also. my dad bought a remanufactured one from auto zone and put it on before i bought it off him. also there was not a plate between the engine and bellhousing when i bought it. so i bought one of those from a mechanic i know. but it was for a automatic. so i had to cut where the starter bolts on to get the holes to properly line up. got it all put back together and got a few good starts then came the grinding. so i bought a new drive gear for the starter and put it on. few good starts then grinding. so i need advice. what do i need to fix the problem? is it a problem with my starter? i have heard stories that the bendixs' are not always the same when a new starter is bought. or is it the motor plate that is the problem???? if so where could i find the proper plate and\or starter?? if anyone could please help i would much appreciate it. i love driving this truck but i cant drive it unless i can get it to start! thanks in advance

 

Difference in starters between standard and auto xmsn cause different fly wheel and flex plates.

I had a 351M 4 spd and swapped just the motor 351M it was a auto, had to change the fly wheel of the 4spd and put it in and used the ol 4 spd starter, no problems.

But we did use the flex plate from standard eng not the old auto one, you might be getting problems from that swap and mod?

 

Well I'm not sure how to find a starter for a manual tranny. Will auto zone be able to tell the difference? Also not sure where to find the correct plate . I'm New to the world of Ford mechanics. This is my first truck this old. So could you tell me how to fix the problem?

 

There should be a part # difference, ask them to look up the # on a auto trans one and the # on a standard one. Flex plats can be ordered also PITA to break eng apart to put it in.

Also make sure they know its a 78 clutch and trans and a 71-74 car eng.

 

So you said I can order a new plate that goes between the engine and bellhousing too? From auto zone??? I will be sure to ask them about the starter tomorrow

 

Pretty sure you can, or try Summit racing or a JY, craigslist maybe?

 

There won't be a part number difference, because: Passenger Cars with 351M's (1975/79) & 400's (1971/79) were not available with a manual transmission.

D7TZ-7007-A .. Engine Rear Cover Plate-Use with Manual Transmission / Marked: D7TE-6A373-AA or AB / Obsolete

Last MSRP: $43.49. / Dealer net cost: $26.09.

351M/400 applications: 1977/79 F100/350 / 1978/82 Bronco / 1980/82 F150/350.

 

Any idea how think this plate needs to be ? Or does that matter?

 

So would the plate and new starter fix the problem? Since they,were not available with manual tranny is this going to effect how it starts or runs??

 

Nope, the engines are basically the same, the only difference is, M/T's were not available in Passenger Cars.

Get the correct truck parts and install them. See post #7 for the edited in info for the cover plate.

 

When you say obsolete does that mean I cant order one from anywhere? Cause by the sounds of it that plate is exactly what I'm needing to line up the starter properly. Thanks for all the help so far

 

Thanks ND, like always.

 

Ford obsoleted it. I searched for the part number, no Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

Maybe you can buy it from an autoparts store.

 

Where are you located? I may have that plate from a 78 f250 manual trans that I took apart in NJ

 

He is in NC.....

If you click on the users name, then on view public profile, then about me, you can see where a member is from. Is they have not posted a location in the r/h part of there sig.