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89 F250, 5.8 liter EFI. I tried to upload video so y’all can hear the sound made for a short second after starting. It is a short screech. I can’t tell if it’s the starter or something else. I did remove the starter and it and the flywheel ring gear are fine. Otherwise, the truck starts and runs good although it has less power than it should. Mileage unknown but likely lots. Thanks Jack
sounds like it may need a shim to space the starter gear away from the ring gear a few thousands.
more commonly found of chevys, but i have had to add a shim to a few fords too.
I think if there was a problem with the starter, I would be seeing some abnormal wear on the ring gear or the starter gear? They’re both pristine. It certainly might be the serpentine belt. Also, the power steering pump is noisy so might be that? Thanks for the input!
sounds like it may need a shim to space the starter gear away from the ring gear a few thousands.
more commonly found of chevys, but i have had to add a shim to a few fords too.
There are no such things as shims for ford starters.
If you need to shim it, you have something missing or mis matched starter/ring gear parts, wrong starter for transmission or something else.
Originally Posted by bigcountryvet
I think if there was a problem with the starter, I would be seeing some abnormal wear on the ring gear or the starter gear? They’re both pristine. It certainly might be the serpentine belt. Also, the power steering pump is noisy so might be that? Thanks for the input!
You inspected every tooth on the ring gear?
I"m assuming you have a manual because you said flywheel?
Have you verified you have the correct starter, auto vs manual are different.
I'm not sure with manual fly wheel ring gear, but auto can be different, like 157 and 164.
Easy way to tell if it is NOT the starter/ring gear, is take you belts off the front of the engine, is the sound gone or still there?
To me, it is definitely a starter/ring gear sound.
Is your ring gear warped, or has it moved?
Is there play a problem with the bendix?
Is there the correct separator/block plate installed?
You guys are right, it is the starter. I pulled the belts and had my wife crank it over while I was under where I could hear, definitely the starter making that noise, not while it’s cranking but immediately after.
It is possible this could have had the auto trans switched out to a manual at some time. The dash cluster is set up for an automatic.
Also, on a different note,
I took a photo of something I can’t identify. Appears to be a capacitor or something? The connection is badly melted and I’m not sure it’s still connected.
I installed a new starter which is designed for manual transmission. I get the same noise as if the starter is having trouble disengaging. By shimming the starter out a half inch the noise became minimal. I think this truck originally had an automatic transmission. It now has a 5 speed manual. Is it possible I have a flywheel/ring gear from an automatic attached to a manual tranny? I ordered a starter designed for an automatic transmission…will see if it will fit.
