hey guys i was doing a 460 and zf5 swap in my old f250 its a 1990 and i grabbed motor trans and t-case out of a 1997 f250 h-d did the swap everything worked out well started ran drove stopped i ended up selling the truck to a buddy and now its having starter issues just wanted to pick some brains and look for a remedy it will turn over once or twice and start fine then it seems like the starter kicks away from the flywheel and makes a hell of a whine and grind climb under it loosen starter and push it closer to motor and tighten it back up and once again start a few times then move away ive never had a truck that would do this never had a starter with play first starter it had was a large one for the 1990 with a 460 and manual trans then figured that might be the issue and grabbed one for a 97 460 and zf5 and rerouted the solenoid wiring still the came problem anyone else had this problem??? gotta be some way it can be all the way against motor and not have it move anyone have a solution that worked

 

I have a 97' HD with a 460. The only way my starter could move is if the bolts came out... I'm kind of at a loss as to how your starter is moving. Do the bolt holes in the starter have room to adjust where you mount it? Because mine down, if my starter backed up it would have to break the bolts to do it.

 

 

My truck has the same motor/trans combo as the one you're working with. I have the smaller starter "mini torque" I think they call it. Doesn't have any play in it, you just bolt it in and shim as needed so it meshes with the flywheel correctly. Personally, I'd get a different starter that didn't "adjust" before you break a bolt trying to tighten it down hard enough to hold it in place.

 

I will just say that I went thru 3 starters from O'Reillys and finally I told em give me my money back and I bought 2 gear reductions starters (mine was the old style from the factory but I converted) from those guys on eBay (DB Electrical or something like that) so I could keep one on the truck and one in the toolbox as a spare. That was over a year ago and so far no issues since I did the switch. Did the same on my son's truck (95 302) and he also has had no starter problems since. Those guys make a good starter from my experience.

 

THERE ARE A FEW LESSONS TO BE LEARNED HERE:
1. No good deed goes unpunished, Never sell vehicles to Buddies as it very rarely turns out well for either one of you,.usually resulting in one less buddy,
2. I have had a lot of problems over the years with 7.5's not wanting to start especially after running, I agree with the gear reduction starter solution but also I always clean the entire electrical supply system (good termails, battery, alternator, etc),

 

i have the gear reduction starter on but looking at it more i actually think the starter index plate is the problem i ordered one for the truck and hole for starter was way off than it shoulda been so i cut it out and i got a starter shim to act as the index plate and i dont think its working as planned im having trouble finding the correct plate for 460/zf5 anyone got a part number? or one they can part with believe i got an auto one and not a manual

 

see i ordered a mini starter off amazon from db electrical and the solenoid didnt want to work and i kinda got jerked around trying to get a new one it sucks cause i got one in my charger and absolutely love it

 

If you do manage to find the ford number for the 460/zf 5, I would love to have it. I was never able to find a source for it.

 

if i find something ill post it no real luck yet though