'83 F150 starter problem

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Aug 14, 2001 | 12:44 AM

razzouli

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'83 F150 starter problem

I have an '83 F150, I6, AOD. When first put a new starter in it (I've been through three) it turns the motor fine but after a few starts it begins to grind really bad. Eventually, the starter just spins freely. If I loosen the bolts slightly and use a hammer to tap it up closer to the flexplate and tighten the bolts it usually gives me a few starts before it slips again. The flexplate is in pretty good condition and I have already tried a shim. I can't figure out why it won't stay aligned. It continues to baffle everyone I've talked to. Thanks in advance for any help.

Aug 14, 2001 | 10:22 PM

jakegypsum

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From: Linwood, N.J. USA!

'83 F150 starter problem

I hate to sound a little on the down side when it comes to your truck but I think that the only thing you can do is replace all of the components involved. The flexplate may be worn and can cause premature ware on the starter. New starter after new starter. A shim may be what is originally needed to keep the wear from happening. Check the plate. You may have to replace it along with the the starter again. Plus, don't forget about the shim. Good luck. Jake.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

Aug 14, 2001 | 11:16 PM

restorit

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'83 F150 starter problem

Are you sure it's not a starter problem (not involving the flexplate)? I'm not at all sure that your loosening the bolts and tapping the starter with a hammer is doing anything more than freeing a momentarily sticking bendix. That "spinning freely" sounds like the bendix (section which springs forward and engages the flywheel ring gear) is spinning, but is not traveling the full length forward to properly engage. Tapping the starter with a hammer will usually free it, but if there is excessive wear or poor tolerances it will malfunction again.

As hard as it may be to believe that a third starter could be the culprit, it is likely, especially if you've been buying them from a discount parts store, or any other, for that matter. Often, when you get a remanufactured or rebuilt, it's already seen use on a lot of trucks, and there's nothing to say that it had a quality rebuild or reman. job performed. You may consider trying another premium remanufactured (all new internals) unit, possibly from Ford. I've had four "rebuilds" to go in one year.

Aug 14, 2001 | 11:19 PM

jakegypsum

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'83 F150 starter problem

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

Aug 15, 2001 | 12:38 AM

Guy

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'83 F150 starter problem

Jul 7, 2004 | 01:30 PM

John Luther

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From: Pinecrest, Fla

razz, I had the same problem...turns out someone had used a floor jack and jacked the tranny up by the bottom of the bell housing, thus throwing the "bell" out of round. Now the starter bolts are not true, making the starter not line up correctly. Now I am not talking about and inch or two, just maybe a 1/32 or 1/16" off center is enough to cause the demon. I have replaced all in question with the exception of the trans, that is next...

Jul 7, 2004 | 02:52 PM

91f250460

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From: Midwest

Is it the original tranny in the truck. I had a 77 f150 that the previous owner had installed a bone yard tranny in when the first one went out. To shorten the story I took it to a reputable shop that "customized" the starter and tranny to fit up properly. I don't know what trans was original, but the boneyard trans was an fmx.

T. Roberts
UFD Local 1147