starter shim question?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
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From: Midwest
starter shim question?
the starter on my 78 f100 with a 302 had washers between the starter and transmission. when I put the 351w in, i didn't put the washers in there(couldn't remember where they went
). I tried to start the truck up, just to see if it would fire for a couple seconds, and it made a heck of clanging noise, almost like a rod knocking. thought I got a bad motor. then I got to thinking about the washers I didn't put in, and I put them in. Now it doesn't clang anymore, but the starter does not sound right when it is turning over. can anyone tell me where these washers are really supposed to be, and why I need them? is it normal for a starter to need washers, or is this the wrong starter for this application, and the previuos owner just shimmed it to make it work?
...thanks, Ben
). I tried to start the truck up, just to see if it would fire for a couple seconds, and it made a heck of clanging noise, almost like a rod knocking. thought I got a bad motor. then I got to thinking about the washers I didn't put in, and I put them in. Now it doesn't clang anymore, but the starter does not sound right when it is turning over. can anyone tell me where these washers are really supposed to be, and why I need them? is it normal for a starter to need washers, or is this the wrong starter for this application, and the previuos owner just shimmed it to make it work? ...thanks, Ben
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Burke VA
starter shim question?
I have never ever had to shim a Ford and I've had all kinds of Fords. When I put the 351 in my truck, I tried to use theI6 strter and it made a horrible noise. Pulled it out and put a 5.0 Mustang starter but it was the wrong size (my 3 spd manual bellhousing was bigger than my mustang's T5)
I endend up a new 302 starter for a 79. It worked fine. No shims.
Jayson
78 F100
I endend up a new 302 starter for a 79. It worked fine. No shims.
Jayson
78 F100
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Midwest
starter shim question?
once again, thanks for the advice!! what exactly is a midplate? if it is the plate between the tranny and engine, the 302 I took out didn't have one, so I didn't put one in with the 351w. is it supposed to have one? thanks, Ben
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
starter shim question?
The difference between a manual tranny starter and a automatic is the length of the end that engages the flywheel. I am curious now; you said that you left out the plate between the block and transmission? How do you bolt in the starter without the hole in the plate to get it aligned? 
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 597
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From: Burke VA
starter shim question?
I had a thin metal plate that went between my tranny and the block. It also seperated the starter from the trans.
Jayson
78 F100
Jayson
78 F100
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Midwest
starter shim question?
I didn't leave it out....the 302 didn't have one on it, either, and I didn't think it needed one if the 302 didn't have one. as far as the starter lining up, I just bolted it up to the tranny bellhousing, didn't know there was a way to line it up. so if I need this plate, where can I get one?...thanks, Ben
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 194
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From: united states
starter shim question?
Be sure to get the correct plate for your engine and transmission. Dunno what trans you have, but if its a c4 there are two different plates. One for the 10.5 inch torque converter c4 and one for the 11.5 inch torque converter. Since you have a truck you will probally need one for the 11.5. (the plates are almost identical except for the starter location, they will not interchange!) If you want a new one call Holcomb motorsports in N.C. at 1-800-475-7223.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
starter shim question?
While on the subject of shims and plates, I have a 351c that is going into my truck in front of a C6. The donor truck has a 302, now, can I use that plate? As the donor truck is an 80, I am using that flex plate.
Also, I have seen these refered to as transmission or bellhousing shims.
Jared
Also, I have seen these refered to as transmission or bellhousing shims.
Jared
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 194
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From: united states
starter shim question?
Dunno a whole lot about clevelands. If the bellhouding and the flexplates are the same for the swap the midplate should interchange too. There is only one thickness for the plates, only starter location is different.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Burke VA
starter shim question?
cjben,
Listen to jotee10. I went and ordered the smaller clutch for my 351 only to find the bellhousing was too big. Trucks have the bigger bellhousing. I can say for sure that a rear cover plate from a manual (yours is manual, right?) 302, 351W and a 300 I6 will fit, as long as its out of a truck or van. I used my 300 I6 cover plate for my conversion. I would also look at wrecks from the 80's as well. I seriously doubt a cleveland cover would fit.
Jayson
78 F100
Listen to jotee10. I went and ordered the smaller clutch for my 351 only to find the bellhousing was too big. Trucks have the bigger bellhousing. I can say for sure that a rear cover plate from a manual (yours is manual, right?) 302, 351W and a 300 I6 will fit, as long as its out of a truck or van. I used my 300 I6 cover plate for my conversion. I would also look at wrecks from the 80's as well. I seriously doubt a cleveland cover would fit.
Jayson
78 F100