76 starter partially engaging
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76 starter partially engaging
I picked up a 76 with a 390 , 4spd on a trade. I purchased and installed a new starter for it but its as if the starter is not long enough and only engages sometimes. There are no broken flywheel teeth and runs good otherwise. I am not sure if its the original drivetrain either. The parts store says its the only option for a starter that year. Can anyone clue me in on what other starter options there actually are as Im convinced this is not the correct starter. Thanks a bunch
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Are you sure you got the starter for a manual transmission? You know there is a difference. Did you compare the new one to the old starter? Is the nose cone/bendix part the same length?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
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Personally I am not a big fan of parts store "exchange" starters because their applications are often incorrect. I prefer to disassemble an original starter and replace the worn/failed components for this very reason. Another option is to find a good local shop that rebuilds starters/alternators--although this is not as convenient as going to a parts store.
Trying to attach the parts manual page.....not having much luck.....
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Unfortunately, I do not have the original starter anymore, but when I did compare them, they looked very similar although i did not think to check the smaller details. According to oreilly there is no difference between an auto and manual starter.
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Red mercury, thanks for the reply. As I stated before, i am unsure of the actual year flywheel thats in there. Can you tell me by looking at the manual if there are any different starters in that year range and what year and model they are for?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
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Not too sure if this works--should see the parts manual pages below.
[img]blob:https://www.ford-trucks.com/9a4d9047-b3e9-40b7-a05e-3aba4c3c45af[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.ford-trucks.com/28e2b9a6-5b11-47ff-a389-a860ce91836e[/img]
.....I don't know why this doesn't work. The preview on my end shows the parts manual pdf pages that I pasted in my response. When I post the response above I only see the links above which don't make sense. Sorry--maybe another member can explain why this happens.
[img]blob:https://www.ford-trucks.com/9a4d9047-b3e9-40b7-a05e-3aba4c3c45af[/img]
[img]blob:https://www.ford-trucks.com/28e2b9a6-5b11-47ff-a389-a860ce91836e[/img]
.....I don't know why this doesn't work. The preview on my end shows the parts manual pdf pages that I pasted in my response. When I post the response above I only see the links above which don't make sense. Sorry--maybe another member can explain why this happens.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
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A serial number break means that part way through the model year, after a certain serial number, Ford changed the part. The parts manual doesn't say what the change actually was. In this case, Ford switched to a different starter for the 360/390 part way through 1975. Only one starter was shown in 1976.
You may also have received a bad starter from the parts store--another good reason to repair the original. Understood that you exchanged it so that is no longer an option.
It can be tricky comparing an original starter to a parts store exchange unit. They often look similar but may still have slight differences that can make a huge difference. One thing I do with original Ford starters is compare the number that is stamped on the nose cone of the starter. The same number generally means it is the same starter application. Unfortunately a parts store starter is not usually made by Ford so there won't be a Ford number on the nose cone.
Another option which is better than the parts store starters is to get a remanufactured unit from a Ford dealer. I haven't done this for a number of years and I don't even know if it can still be done for 40+ year old trucks. They were slightly more expensive but still reasonable.
You may also have received a bad starter from the parts store--another good reason to repair the original. Understood that you exchanged it so that is no longer an option.
It can be tricky comparing an original starter to a parts store exchange unit. They often look similar but may still have slight differences that can make a huge difference. One thing I do with original Ford starters is compare the number that is stamped on the nose cone of the starter. The same number generally means it is the same starter application. Unfortunately a parts store starter is not usually made by Ford so there won't be a Ford number on the nose cone.
Another option which is better than the parts store starters is to get a remanufactured unit from a Ford dealer. I haven't done this for a number of years and I don't even know if it can still be done for 40+ year old trucks. They were slightly more expensive but still reasonable.
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Thanks. Well, my question at this point since i dont know the actual year of the engine, is if it might be a good idea to remove the starter i have now, order a 75 model, and compare the two to see if the bendix/cone is slightly longer.
Logistics Pro
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From: East Central Ia
Kind of the way of the world now. Don't take your core in with you until after you are perfectly satisfied with replacement. Usually have 30 days to return a core for credit. Better yet if core charge is minimal just keep it for the future and send in the original to a rebuilder.
Tuned
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Kind of the way of the world now. Don't take your core in with you until after you are perfectly satisfied with replacement. Usually have 30 days to return a core for credit. Better yet if core charge is minimal just keep it for the future and send in the original to a rebuilder.
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I agree also about the core charge not being worth it in some cases.However, since the original is long gone, it is not pertinent to resolving the issue at hand, which is what is the correct starter for the engine. So, red mercury, is there anyway to tell which starter may have a slightly longer cone than the one for the 76 i have already based off the manual you have? Perhaps i could order a 74 or 75 and see if its longer?
Laughing Gas
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Rather than make assumptions, I would try to confirm what you have is correct by taking measurements from the mounting surface on bell to flywheel. Then measure on the starter from mounting surface to the end of the throw on the starter pinion gear and see what you get. If it turns out you have enough throw, then you have to figure out if its an interference issue where its not engaging the whole way due to incorrect gear mesh distance too close or too far away.
Since you don't know the history of the truck I would also confirm the tooth count on flywheel. Its a pain but at least you can rule that out. For a 76 I believe it should be 184 teeth.
Since you don't know the history of the truck I would also confirm the tooth count on flywheel. Its a pain but at least you can rule that out. For a 76 I believe it should be 184 teeth.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
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Mark8man--you beat me to it. I was about to suggest the same measurements. I have seen a couple of starters that would not push the drive gear out far enough to fully mesh with the ring gear. Agreed that the starter may have an issue--new/rebuilt starters can have issues right out of the box.
Yes, the ring gear should have 184 teeth if I recall correctly. I am doubtful that this would be an issue but checking everything is wise. I don't think there is any other flywheel that will fit but I don't know everything (ask my wife).
coleboy11--the Ford parts manuals do not show any dimensions for starters so the answer to your question is a "hard no". For the most part, Ford parts manuals are part number lists and application listings of said parts.
Maybe give us some information on the starter that you currently have. Where did you buy it and what is the part number on the box it came in? Is there a Ford part number stamped on the nose cone (unlikely)? I have had some success in the past cross referencing part numbers between suppliers/manufacturers in order to convince myself that I have the right starter. A picture of the actual starter may be helpful too.
Yes, the ring gear should have 184 teeth if I recall correctly. I am doubtful that this would be an issue but checking everything is wise. I don't think there is any other flywheel that will fit but I don't know everything (ask my wife).
coleboy11--the Ford parts manuals do not show any dimensions for starters so the answer to your question is a "hard no". For the most part, Ford parts manuals are part number lists and application listings of said parts.
Maybe give us some information on the starter that you currently have. Where did you buy it and what is the part number on the box it came in? Is there a Ford part number stamped on the nose cone (unlikely)? I have had some success in the past cross referencing part numbers between suppliers/manufacturers in order to convince myself that I have the right starter. A picture of the actual starter may be helpful too.
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Well, its just a cheapie starter from oreillys and Im almost positive its not pushing the starter gear out far enough. I think my best option is to call a ford parts dealer and see which years are different for the 390 engine, also confirm the engine on the truck is actually a 390 and not a 360, as Im just going by what I was told. I will also verify its a 76 even though the title says so. And as fun as counting teeth on the flywheel sounds, Im not that desperate yet. Thanks for all the help. So, how can i verify its actually a 390 and not something else??