Mine was wired incorrectly. It was not a seating issue. Basically, what I did was failed to see the small electrical wire when I took the old one off, and the weight of the starter pulled the terminal end right off the wire when I removed it. So, I go to put on the new one, and I see a big terminal end, and a wire with bare copper hanging out, thinking, "Aw, crap. Where does that go?" While I was under the truck, I could only see two of the three posts. The big one, which obviously went with the big ring, and the bottom one of the small ones. The small one was not visible from where I was laying to do this job. So, I had my box of terminal end rings, and picked one that would fit on the one I could see (incorrectly believing that it was the only other one), and hooked it up. The effect that this had was that it would rev up the starter without "shooting" it out to meet the flexplate teeth. I had an embarrassing thread about it, which you can probably find if you search.

If I were you, I would install your new starter, pull off the inspection cover for your torque converter/flexplate area, get under the truck, then watch what happens when somebody turns the key. Leave the truck in park, wear eye protection and all other related PPE, engage the parking brake and take all other possible precautions, as always before doing this.

Hey, wait a minute - if your stock starter works fine, then why are you replacing it? Why not just use that one?

 

Yeah that is what needs to happen, I will have to remove the inspection plate. Thank you

I bought the starter when I was tweakin out on my truck and just started replacing stuff left and right. Wish I would of never of bought it.

 

they don't make shim for these starters

 

Chevies use Shims.

nuff said?

 

ok, so I bought an 85 F1-50 from someone for a really great price due to starter issues...
I bought new starter, new flexplate, and had it installed... dude who installed it cutaway the blockplate/inspection plate (what IS it called, really?) so when i started it, it would grind, I was told this plate was ABSOLUTELY necessary on a Ford, so I found one, installed it, still a grind....
Then someone told me that I needed a shim, and even though I have always heard "Not on a Ford" there was actually a shim that was listed, so I paid $14 freakin bux, for the damn thing, but cannot find anything online regarding this except some Ford Alert regarding starters needing shims, but I have also read that I may need a "High Torque Starter"? Before I pay someone to tear into it again, Id like to know how I should proceed.... I am not a mechanic, lol just mechanically inclined female. This is my first Ford, im in love and cannot drive it yet please help! Also starter stayes engaged on occasion and when it wont start, turning the flywheel fixes it... i have a 351w ho Thanks!

 

Not sure how long ago you bought the starter, but I would try to get your money back as it clearly doesn't fit right. If the seller won't cooperate I think you have some last resort options with ebay and Paypal. Good luck with it.

 

Update....
After much reading I called AutoZone and asked about my flexplate tooth number and starter tooth number, (I had read somewhere about it, lol) turns out they gave me a starter for a MANUAL transmission! So, changed it and its fixed! At least that problem is... on to the transmission forum for me, *sigh*
Thanks to everyone for the help!

 

Wow, good 'ol autozzzz. I was going to say, if it was the right starter, but was another issue, I would have kept the starter as a spare.