I have "as far as I can figure" a 1965 352 cu and a 1975 C6 transmission. The problem I'm having is I can't find a starter that will fit. I've tried 3 different starters from Napa. The ones I've tried don't go over far enough to mesh with the flex plate. They go in far enough but they don't touch the flex plate. I have a new 184 tooth flex plate and tried a starter that was for an automatic. Has anyone had this problem, if so how did you fix it?

 

Gary, I am running a C6 behind my FE, I have had to swap a couple starters but they all worked when installed. Not aware of any issues with proper equipment.


John

 

When you say that it doesn't fit, do you mean that the starter's teeth don't mesh with the flex plate when you install it, or that when you try to start it the drive gear doesn't engage with the flex plate?

 

When I try to start it the the teeth on the don't engage with the flex plate. It goes far enough forward but it doesn't engage the flex plate. As far as I know I have the right starter and the right flex plate. I even made the mounting holes oblong to move it over and it still misses the flex plate.

 

There is only one 3 bolt starter AFAIK, you must not have the right flexplate.


John

 

Question is what WRONG as in too small flex plate fits a FE crank bolt pattern?

 

I've got a 428cj and thru it's life it's had 4 or 5 starters and I've never had one not work. How long they work is usually the ?

 

Did you ever have a starter that worked in this setup? Or is this some new build you made?

 

Its a new build. I have the three bolt starter and the 184 tooth 15 1/2 flex plate. Its like the drive gear is to small not big enough in diameter. There isn't any more room to put on a bigger flex plate. I'm going to try changing both one more time and see what happens.

 

According to a Auto electrical shop I need to put on a bigger starter drive gear. So I'm going to give it a try tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Definitely let us know

 

Ok its been a few days but I finally got a new 10 tooth bendix drive for my starter. I also have to admit the first time I put the transmission on the engine I didn't put the plate that goes in between the engine and transmission. I did the second time and the starter works fine. So I'm not sure if the new drive fixed it or the plate fixed it. I just know it works now. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

Good deal.


John