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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

starter wont physically line up

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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 02:54 PM
  #1  
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starter wont physically line up

1986 460 auto

I got a rebuilt from my local starter shop.

this one looks the same as my old one but i cannot get it to sit flush on the bellhousing/plate.

The bolt holes line up but it appears that it will not sit flush, like it is sitting on a lip on the starter. It seems the starter hole in the inspection plate is slightly too small.

I was wondering if anyone ran into this?

Is there a spacer that i am missing? or is the new starter slightly too big? or do i have a manual trans starter?
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 06:35 PM
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UPDATE:

I took the new(reman) starter back to the shop and they still had my core. I brought both home, and the old one bolts right up no problems. I had feard i had FUBAR'ed something on the reinstall of the motor.

So, comparing the two, the appear the same at first glance but there are some minor differences.

The new one does not have a threaded top hole (must use bolt/nut) and is generally about 10-20% smaller, but the business end has some differences as well. I am not sure how to describe them and a picture may not show it either. Just a little different, must be enough to cause a problem on my truck.

I am thinking they have a "universal" ford starter that fits most trucks. The owner of the shop actually led me to think that. He said he could probably get me an "old" style like i had. (i believe it to be original ford).

So i will return on monday to the shop and see what gives.
Anybody have any insight on this??
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 07:50 PM
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no such animal as a universal ford starter, hell not even on Chevy's...

Direct Drive AT Starter = 3152 Lester number, first picture

PMGR Retrofit starter = 3226 Lester number, second picture

these are the only two that would fit that if original and yes one hole is not threaded, that bolt should thread into the trans case IIRC. Even the pre '77 starter only had one threaded hole.

I think he gave you a small block starter. Third picture

ecat link: http://showmetheparts.com/bbb/
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 07:54 PM
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1986 f350 460 c6. He never said they were universal. He said he has used the one he gave me in Lots of trucks from the 70s to the 90s. But the reman did not have threaded holes. My old one had a threaded top hole and the bottom screwed into the bell/tranny. The guy seems more than willing to help and leArn what is going on.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:01 PM
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re read, i edited...


And that's why they call it a ninja edit...
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Archion
re read, i edited...
My original looks like the first. The replacement looks like the third but the nose kinda looks like the second.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:08 PM
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Yeah, he definitely gave you a small block starter... 300, 302, 351... Not gonna work...

If you can get one, I would go with the PMGR replacement, spins much faster on less juice, and a very simple upgrade, move one wire and run another. It's the one they went to in 92.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 08:12 PM
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On a related note, I successfully used a 302 starter on a 460 swap on a different truck. That truck had a np435. Maybe that is the diff.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2012 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Archion
And that's why they call it a ninja edit...
Master of the Ninja Edit... is that something to be proud of, Matt?

 
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Old Nov 3, 2012 | 09:02 PM
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you have the wrong starter.windsors use a starter with no threaded holes at all,i fear that is what he gave you and yes it can be rigged,dont go there,get the right one.
 
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Old Nov 3, 2012 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by l8ntpianist22
you have the wrong starter.windsors use a starter with no threaded holes at all,i fear that is what he gave you and yes it can be rigged,dont go there,get the right one.
I am headed back on Monday. I will leave with the correct starter or my money. This is the only shop in town that rebuild starters and alts. My other choice is napa,advance,autozone. Opinions on them?
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 04:50 AM
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yes i do.i usually opt for the new starter and not the remans!i dont care if it is guaranteed forever i dont want to change it that often.if your handy buy the reman by all means,but befor you install,remove the bendix actuator cover and remove the saddle pivot pin.drill it to fit a 1/4 inch bolt and install said bolt damaging the end threads to lock the nut in place.this will save you another trip under.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 07:50 AM
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The flywheel/flex plate for a 460 sits further to the rear than does that of a small block, which sits further to the rear than that of a 351M/400. So the starters have different throws, and the small-block starter won't engage as much of the flywheel on a 460 as it should. And, there's the problem of the nose not aligning properly as well. So, I'm glad you will get the right starter.
 
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