OK, I'm going to replace my starter and go with a good one. I know a long time back there was a starter a number of people were talking about that cranked faster, but cost a bit more. I can't seem to find anything on it, but searching for starters returns quite the list. So I'm asking what the best starter out there is and where do I get it?

 

I'm a 'keep it simple, stupid' guy. Replaced mine with one from O'Rielleys. $190. plus core. Does its job and starts engine. Done.

 

I would go OEM motorcraft or find a local reputable re-builder. I currently have a NAPA unit on mine that's going on 5 years. Alot has changed in 5 years and from what I have seen the quality has really gone down with everything but OEM. I have a spare good Motorcraft starter sitting in my garage just in case!

 

The NAPA rebuild quality of the Mitsubishi 17578 seems to have gone way down recently. I went through three in a little over a year, along with two flex plates. The starters would work fine for a month or so, and then start grinding. Eventually the "free" lifetime warranty wasn't worth the torn up ring gears and labor. I bought a Denso from Larry B and am very happy with it.

 

I'd go OEM. My original starter is doing just fine after 300,000 miles.

In fact, my OEM Ford starter in my '64 Falcon is the same one that was on the car when I got it over 25 years and 150,000 miles ago.

 

Me too!! Probably 150k miles ago... Still zings the engine over like a Boss!!!

The china knock-off's of this starter are a waste of time. The db electrical one I had in the X lasted about 12 starts.

 

My original OEM is still going strong after 212,000 miles. I have a spare NAPA new Mitsubishi starter that was given to me. Just need to replace the gear (already have the part). I'll put it on when the time comes and rebuild my original.

 

Chris, What is the advantage with the Denso and where would I find one? Ford thinks a lot of their starters and I can't find Ed the Parts Guy anymore. I was away for a while and missed some things.

 

Napa starter - 5.2HP Denso:

 

The Denso starters are more powerful and received lots of very good comments on this forum and others, so that's the main reason I went that route. The OEM Ford starters made by Mitsubishi seem to hold up really well too (got almost 200K on the original in my 97 E350), but my real disapointment was with the lack of quality in the rebuilds. Here's where I got the Denso: Larryb - 94-03 Ford PowerStroke Super Starter

 

This is the rotor, planetary gear set, and drive gear from my last NAPA rebuild. It was only in the truck a few months and already grinding on every second or third start. When my son took it apart, the bearings were so bad that the rotor was actually rubbing against the stator (see close up):

 

Larry B? Got a website?

Ed has been out of the parts biz for years now.

If you want OEM, Tousley Ford Parts is a supporting vendor here now. AutoNation Ford White Bear Lake Parts (previously Tousley Ford Parts)

Stewart

 

Dave, Take your known original to a known good home town type auto electric shop and have them rebuild it.

FYI: Parts guy Ed had a stroke a couple of years ago, tried to come back but his recovery is very slow at best so he retired.

 

I have had good luck with the 3 bolt Ford gear reduction starter I have on the 02.I had the starters rebuilt before I bought this one and it has done a good job AND IT STAYS TIGHT!
F4TZ-11002-ARM

 

Here's the link: Larryb - 94-03 Ford PowerStroke Super Starter

Chris