Hello All,
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I have a 1979 F150, 300, 4WD, Manual.
I've had to replace the starter 3 times in the last year. After replacement it starts great for awhile. This time the starter shows no damage except it is hard to spin with my hand.
The previous starter looked like it exploded internally.
The solenoid is relatively new. The starter is very close to the exhaust and I had it wrapped for a while but removed to replace a previous starter.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Most likely you're just getting junk starters. very common.

The only other possibility is your ignition switch isn't letting off fast enough and it's holding it engaged sometimes. this would cause a starter to blow up or have excessive wear. you should be able to hear it if you pay attention.

 

Starters seem to be one of the worst China supplied items for reliability. They use cheapest wire internally for armature and field coils, cheap bearings, and quality control dimensionally is not that good. I don't have data to support this, its just my experience and opinion after 40 years for working on old and new stuff. Remanufactured or new it doesn't matter if it comes from China or similar.

As 440 sixpack said getting junk after junk is not all that uncommon. AND.... by the 3rd time you start thinking you have another problem unrelated to the starter, then a chain reactions starts chasing a ghost. I have heard of multiple people replacing one starter (or alternator) after another especially on vehicles from the 80s and older. On older vehicles I ALWAYS have a factory original starter or alternator rebuilt locally. Fortunate to have a very competent shop nearby. NEVER had an issue when doing this and have had countless units done over the years.

Assuming you were not having an issue before you replaced the first starter, I'd find an original Ford starter housing from a junkyard and have it rebuilt locally if you have a competent shop that still does that. Usually a shop that services truck or farm equipment will do it or know where to get it done.

 

I always thought that the word 'remanufactured' meant that the starters were 100% rebuilt with good quality parts.

Hah ! How naive.

At best, the brushes and bushes are replaced, but they are all definitely cleaned on the outside to look new 'n purdy.

My last one lasted 0 minutes coz it didn't work straight out of the box, and that prompted me to rebuild it myself. (First time ever looking into a starter motor)

They are easy to dismantle and rebuild.

If you have the time and inclination, and you can find good quality bushes and brushes and an armature etc, not made in the 51st state, then have a go at rebuilding one.

An auto electrician can help with connecting the brushes if need be.

The attachments illustrate the parts within a starter.