Having issues with starter, need assistance.

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May 26, 2015 | 08:06 PM

#16

kh0432

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 318

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From: Baltimore

Starter problem

First of all stop worrying about flex plates and flywheels. Ford doesn't use a lot of different ones the way GM does. Ford starter applications are pretty simple. It doesn't matter if you use a 4 1/2 " with post or tab connection or a 4" starter. What's important is if it's automatic or manual. A 3153 starter is for an automatic trans. 3132 is the part # for a manual trans. The manual trans starter has a short nose. If you put it on an automatic , the drive won't hit the flywheel. The 3153 is for an automatic trans. If you put it on a manual trans, the drive will be engaged with the Ring gear all the time and likely will blow up after starting. If you're putting the 3153 on an automatic and the drive is rubbing the flex plate, it's possible that the thrust bearings on the crankshaft are worn. ( not very common). There are shims available in the aftermarket to space the starter further back.

Jun 7, 2015 | 09:06 PM

#17

WilliamKG88

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Joined: May 2015

Posts: 63

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From: Ohio

Back to this. I am going to buy a different starter (the later 3180) since this is an early 81 sedan engine with the 50oz setup.

I can't help but think that for some reason, the flexplate appears to be very close the block plate. Tomorrow I am going to brush some prussian blue onto the flexplate teeth and install the starter to see if it's already making contact with the teeth. Something just doesn't seem right.

Jun 7, 2015 | 09:26 PM

#18

kh0432

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 318

Likes: 13

From: Baltimore

Just measure the distance from the bell housing to the ring gear and compare the distance from the starter flange to the end of the drive. That will tell you if there is enough clearance. A 3180 will fit an automatic, but as I said before it doesn't matter that it's a later style starter.

Jun 8, 2015 | 05:29 PM

#19

WilliamKG88

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Joined: May 2015

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From: Ohio

Found the problem. It appears that the flexplate is either bent or cracked. It wobbles when cranking. Will replace the flexplate and starter and report back within the next few weeks.

Jun 9, 2015 | 02:09 PM

#20

Franklin2

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamKG88

Found the problem. It appears that the flexplate is either bent or cracked. It wobbles when cranking. Will replace the flexplate and starter and report back within the next few weeks.

I had this problem before. You know what it was? The flexplate has certain spots with large holes in it. These holes are for the drain plug in the converter. I bolted mine up not thinking about that, and the drain plug was under the flexplate, not in one of the holes where it belonged.

I dropped the tranny back on long bolts enough to slide the tranny back and spin it around to the correct position, and then tightened it back up. It's working still to this day, but it never has sounded the same as a normal Ford starting, some of the teeth were chewed a little bit.