Ford starter / flexplate not meshing
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From: Magnolia
Ford starter / flexplate not meshing
Step-son has an "80 Ford F150, 302, 3 speed auto tranny. Starter came loose (only 1 bolt holding it in). Replaced starter as it was well worn, ran fine for a week. Quit starting...replaced flexplate, assuming the 2 were not engaging.
After replacing flexplate, found out starter was bad!! Replaced, and ran fine for a week, then starter would not engage flexplate AGAIN! Replaced starter (good thing for warranties, I've put in total of 5 starters), still will not engage. Had starter tested before install, spun it almost off the bench.
Someone asked if flexplate in backwards...pulled off inspection cover. Welded weights are towards the engine, which I'm told is correct.
Any ideas why this @#%$&* thing won't start????? He needs this truck to get to dialysis 3 times a week.
Thanks in advance
Dick
After replacing flexplate, found out starter was bad!! Replaced, and ran fine for a week, then starter would not engage flexplate AGAIN! Replaced starter (good thing for warranties, I've put in total of 5 starters), still will not engage. Had starter tested before install, spun it almost off the bench.
Someone asked if flexplate in backwards...pulled off inspection cover. Welded weights are towards the engine, which I'm told is correct.
Any ideas why this @#%$&* thing won't start????? He needs this truck to get to dialysis 3 times a week.
Thanks in advance
Dick
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: East Coast
When you put a new starter in it fixes it? Are the old starters going bad, or just coming loose, or what? maybe your getting the crappy rebulds instead of the better ones? Maybe you need shims?
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From: Magnolia
Yea, when I got a "good" starter, it would work fine for a week or so.
The starters have all been bad rebuilds from AutoZone. Had to opt for the cheap 1 year warranty the first time, due to financial embarrassment.
Finally popped for the other $20 for the lifetime. Heck of it is, when I upgraded, the first one they pulled from the shelf I made them test, and it was bad!!!
Have not had any problems with them coming loose, as I replaced bolts with new on the first replacement, and slight tendency to overtighten.
The starters have all been bad rebuilds from AutoZone. Had to opt for the cheap 1 year warranty the first time, due to financial embarrassment.
Finally popped for the other $20 for the lifetime. Heck of it is, when I upgraded, the first one they pulled from the shelf I made them test, and it was bad!!!
Have not had any problems with them coming loose, as I replaced bolts with new on the first replacement, and slight tendency to overtighten.
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From: East Coast
Maybe you need to stop going to autozone! hell, everyones are just as bad. The premiums are the way to go. Supposidly they have better parts, but the lifetime warantee is what you want, you may need it within the first few months!
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From: Central Florida
Recently I bought a 1980 Ford F100 with a 300. The starter was on the way out when I bought it. I was sold a #3553 Autovalue starter by Autozone to replace it. I went through 3 starters and one flexplate replacement before finding out they were listing the wrong starter for the application. 80 was a switchover year and some came with the early design starter. #3124 was the number and it has a slightly shorter throw on the starter drive and a larger drive gear. Even then I had problems with their Autovalue line. First 3124 had something loose internally, second locked up. Finally spent the extra bucks for the lifetime starter and it's holding up fine.
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From: Central Florida
Mine was a #3153 too. Sorry.
My starter was eating the leading edge off the drive gear and the throw was long enough that it was actually hitting the flywheel. If yours is doing the same thing, take it back and tell them you want a #3124(preferably the lifetime one). I has a shorter throw and a larger gear. What is wierd is that the flexplate is the same, but starters are different. I can only guess this is because of starter mount change in the transmission. My truck is a F100 shortbed with a 300/C6 combo. These trucks are strange to start with. They have the honeycombed frames to lighten them up and the wheel bolt pattern is the same as the fullsize Ford car instead of the truck pattern.
My starter was eating the leading edge off the drive gear and the throw was long enough that it was actually hitting the flywheel. If yours is doing the same thing, take it back and tell them you want a #3124(preferably the lifetime one). I has a shorter throw and a larger gear. What is wierd is that the flexplate is the same, but starters are different. I can only guess this is because of starter mount change in the transmission. My truck is a F100 shortbed with a 300/C6 combo. These trucks are strange to start with. They have the honeycombed frames to lighten them up and the wheel bolt pattern is the same as the fullsize Ford car instead of the truck pattern.
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From: Magnolia
OK, leading edge of the starter has been a little beveled, which should not be "normal" wear. Gonna really get me cranked if that has been the problem the whole time.
I guess I'll raise some fuss w/ Autozone, see if they will give me the 3124.
Will let ya know what happens!
I guess I'll raise some fuss w/ Autozone, see if they will give me the 3124.
Will let ya know what happens!
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 348
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From: Benson, AZ
I Put 6 Starters form AutoZone on my truck #3 tore up my flex plate and number 5 i got the lifetime warrantee one. The damage was already done and it tore up the good LLT ones too. Another Quality product of Mexico...
BTW
If there is a Checker Kragen Schucks near by then dump the AutoZone Junk (ask for a refund) and go there They should be the same price and there core charge is less then AutoZone.
Just a thought.
BTW
If there is a Checker Kragen Schucks near by then dump the AutoZone Junk (ask for a refund) and go there They should be the same price and there core charge is less then AutoZone.
Just a thought.
Last edited by macman85602; Mar 15, 2004 at 01:58 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
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From: Texas
Autozone "store brand" rebuilds leave much to be desired. Like the others posted, premium is the way to do it right the first time. Since I am so stubborn, it took me better than fifteen years to admit that buying quality in the first place, saves money in the lifetime, not to mention skinned knuckles. I still buy rebuilt parts but only logo names I can trust. Oh yeah! I have run across some crappy MotorCraft rebuilds too.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 342
Likes: 6
I usually take mine to a local alt/starter shop and have been very pleased with the result. Look in the yellow pages, and lets try to support a local, AMERICAN owned and operated business. I have them rebuild the one I bring to them...funny how everything fits when its the same part that's taken off......
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 517
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From: Texas
True victorcharlie but....
Sometimes we get into a bit of a hurry to drive our fine old Fords and while the idea of rebuilding the original is great, the time factor may not be satisfactory. On the other hand, to replace the same part over and over again is not very efficient either. Ford used quality parts right from the beginning, so should the replacements be of high quality. High quality costs more than sweatshop labor. While quality can be had normally for 50% more money than crap, you still get the instant gratification of moving on to the "next" project.
Sometimes we get into a bit of a hurry to drive our fine old Fords and while the idea of rebuilding the original is great, the time factor may not be satisfactory. On the other hand, to replace the same part over and over again is not very efficient either. Ford used quality parts right from the beginning, so should the replacements be of high quality. High quality costs more than sweatshop labor. While quality can be had normally for 50% more money than crap, you still get the instant gratification of moving on to the "next" project.
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