Hey everyone I have a 1985 F150 with a 351W with a weird starter problem. Whenever I try to start, the starter just spins and doesn't engage. I have gone through 2 starters now and they both worked fine according to pep boys. For some reason if you angle the starter a little bit it will catch and start. After starting, it will start to spin again and the bolts become loose. If I just get under there and tighten the bolts it will still spin. I have to like completely take it out and put it back in and tighten the bolts for it to start again. I have tried using a shim to angle it but it still spins. Its not grinding down or anything. The flywheel is fine.I have tried everything I can think of.

 

Do you have an automatic or a manual transmission?
What's the part number of the starter they sold you?

Why do you think the bolts are coming loose?

 

Is your truck and automatic or manual transmission? That may be important info to those that may reply next.

My first step would be to correct the bolt issue. You may have pulled/loose threads. You may need to use a helicoil insert, go to studs if there is room, or find some better lock washer setup.

I don't know about the 351W starters - but on the 460 engines there are a couple of different starters available (various differences, but most importantly some have a different number of teeth on the pinion/drive gear. As small as two teeth difference). If this is true for the 351W, possibly you have the wrong starter. Also (again with the 460) there are different ring gears with different tooth counts available too. Do you know if the ring gear (flex plate) was ever changed?

You could test this theory by going to an on-line parts store and seeing if the part numbers for the 351W starters vary (try different model years for example). If there are different choices, the next step would be to verify what you have is correct. And if you have a different ring gear (and there are choices) - you should count the number of teeth to be sure it is correct for the starter you have.

PS. don't just rely on "I gave the correct truck info to the parts guy". Verify the part number is correct.

 

I have the right starter for the flywheel and I have used lock tight on the bolts so I don't think that would be the issue but I am on my way to get a new set of bolts and washers and nuts so I'll try that and let you know.

 

The piloting diameter should locate the starter.
That said, Loctite isn't going to help you if the threads are sloppy.
It will hold the bolts, but not position them.
I had to Helicoil my ZF because the threads were sketchy even with brand new bolts.
YMMV

 

Ok I got all new bolts washers and nuts and its still just spinning. I could not find a helicoil at Ace so I'll have to go somewhere else to try that

 

It is an automatic btw

 

So you DON'T have a "flywheel"...

How far out from the mounting face of the starter motor does the gear sit while it is off the truck?