I have a 1984 F250 with 460 engine. I have had to replace the starter at least twice a year. I have replaced the ring gear on the fly wheel already and then the starter again. The starter tines became chewed up on that one replace the starter again and started fine. Now it sounds like there is grinding when i start the truck and i pulled the starter and the tines are fine. I am at a complete loss.
Can anyone help?

 

What kind of starter are you using? I'm assuming by the use of the word flywheel and not flex plate that you're truck is a manual. Is there anything preventing the truck from turning over? Has anything been done to increase the compression ratio? I know there are quite a few threads in this particular forum having to do with this exact same issue. You should try searching around. I think the solution was to replace the starter with one made for a newer truck but can't be sure.

 

Yes, starters are different for automatic vs. manual transmissions.

I believe the gear-reduction thing lavatan is referring to was used on passenger vehicles but I'm not certain.

Look for posts by ArdWrknTrk in this and 87-96 forums.

 

Jim (ArdWrknTrk) has had a lot of experience with this issue, but I think part of it stemmed from a transmission change (ZF5). He has assured me that I will need a Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction (PMGR) starter when I install the ZF. But, that may be a completely different issue than this one - assuming you have the original tranny.

Anyway, I'm sure Jim will chime in and provide insight soon.

 

It is a manual. There is consistent grinding when I try to start the vehicle now. The trans is original to the best of my knowledge.

 

The nose on the manual transmission starter is longer than the automatic. PM Archion, that's one of his areas of expertise. He can give you the information on a permanent magnet gear reduction starter.

 

Bill, don't believe he can PM yet.

 

Does the starter that you're using now have a solenoid built right on it or is it still coming off the one on the fender?

 

For reference the starter I got for my truck is the AC Delco part #3361028. I haven't had a problem with it since I put it in my truck. Here's an image (albeit very crappy):

 

That is the same one i have for my truck that i picked up from advanced auto

 

When they replaced the ring gear on your flywheel did they check for warp or any kind of wear? Also, if you aren't seeing any kind of tooth loss on your flywheel or starter I would check the solenoid. It could be that it is going south and needs to be replaced. On that note, have you had your battery's CCA checked?

 

How & when did this problem begin? Was something changed and the problem came up as a result? Or did it just start happening by itself?

A bad Bendix can cause a grinding noise between the starter & flywheel/flexplate.

But, so can a wrong starter, or a wrong flywheel.

 

The problem with the starters began about 2 years ago. and its occurred by it self after replacing the starter for the first time since i bought it 5 years ago. when i replaced the ring gear they checked the fly wheel and resurfaced it and was fine. i also replaced the clutch at the time since everything was off and was close to being needed to replaced. after all that. started up perfectly fine hundreds of times. the starters have lasted anywhere from 1 week to 8 months. the solenoid was replace when i put the new engine in it when i bought it

 

this time is was a matter of 24 hours and maybe 10-20 cranks after starter was replaced

 

That has to be getting real expensive. Have you had the starter tested? Also I would test the battery. If both those test good, I would replace the solenoid again. There are so many stories on this forum about crap chinese parts failing soon after installation.