I have a problem my new old truck just bought is eating starters.

Heres what I got:
351M/400 motor with C6 transmission
and took off the flex plate it has 164 teeth.
before I found that out I put in a automatic transmission starter. But I read somewhere 164 teeth need a Manual t starter because it is longer nose and engages the teeth better. So... I’m stuck now.

Been doing some more research and it could be a problem with the wrong amount of teeth on my flex plate. 157 instead of 164.

..so lost. I was hoping someone could shed some insight if they had a Cleveland 351M / 400
and a C6 big block transmission. What teeth on their flexplate or starter or what I do.

please help. I have the tranny dropped as we speak and could easily replace the flexplate but could just put back now and replace the starter. Thanks for the help

 

Ok what year model truck you have?
Also they make 4 different 351 motors you listed 2 351M & 351C the other is 351W so what do you have?
Dave - - - -

 

That’s the number on the engine block
been seeing 351 M or 400 and I haven’t figured out which one. Apparently quite close in size

 

351M/400 = 1977/79 F100/350, 1978/82 Bronco, 1980/82 F150/350 & E250/350 & 1971/79 400 Passenger Cars, 1975/79 351M Passenger Cars.

All of the above use the same starter for A/T & M/T

Edit: D7TE-A3B = 351M/400 .. This is block casting number, 351M/400 use the same engine block, the bore is the same, the stroke is different.

You'll have to measure the stroke to verify the engine size: 351M = 3.50" / 400 = 4.00."

D1AZ-6375-A .. 351M/400 C6 Flexplate-164T = 1971/79 400 Passenger Cars / 1975/79 351M Passenger Cars / 1977/79 F100/350; 1978/82 Bronco; 1980/82 F150/350 & Econoline 351M/400.

NOTE: There are other flexplates that have 164 teeth, 289/302 for example. So, you have to be sure you are using the correct one.

 

But don't the 351M and 400 use the exact same starter motor? Which means the engine size is irrelevant.

 

Give this man a kewpie doll, but...

I beat you to it, kiddo...see post #4

 

Thanks guys. especially numbersmarty
Jeez really know your digits.
so guess before I pop the tranny back on I better check the flexplate is the 164t that fits 351m/400
As long as it isn’t the 302 one I should be safe right?
Appreciate all the help! Y’all have a good night and I’ll get back if this fixes my starter alignment issues.

 

I was waiting for you to respond. Do you know if the cluck you bought this truck from had the engine out?

If so, there's "engine rear plate" between the block and C6 trans case (7007 in pic).

If the cluck forgot to install it when the engine was reinstalled, or the cluck installed one for a M/T (C6 is different), you'll have all sorts of starter problems.

Cluck is an apropos name, because this problem probably existed before you bought this truck.

The flexplate will be just fine if it's from a 351M/400, but if it isn't....

 

All ford starters use the sams size pinion gear. The only difference id the housing that bolts to the bell housing depending on the application. What part # starter did you put on?

 

So if I have a 289/302 with 164 teeth, how many teeth should the starter have?