Have pre-1979 460 with 390 flywheel and 351M bellhousing. Tried a variety of starters including 460 & 351M, plus an assortment of unknowns other than some Ford. Problem is the starter gear is about 1/4" too far out from the flywheel. That's side to side - not front to back. Only starter that looks like it might work has one bolt ear offset slightly. Most bolt ears are directly opposite. Anyone know what starter to use and what this odd one might have been from? I need this truck on the road and can't get past this one problem. Help!

 

this may not be wright. but it sounds like you have the wrong flywheel. i'm not up on 460's so im not sure. my78 L6 has
2 different sized clutch apps. that dosent mean anything
though. but maybe the 460 wheel is bigger or something.

 

You have a FE flywheel on a 385 series engine.
You need to find a pre -79' 460 internal balanced flywheel.
and use a 460 starter.



Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.

 

 

I checked both the 78 400 and the 87 460 starters that I have and they both have the offset patterns with the bolts offset to the outside. Did you compare your flywheel diameters before you mounted them? Trey Gorbett '78 F250-Bronco Hybrid 460,NP435,NP205,Dana60 front,Sterling 10.25 rear,4.10's, 17/40x16.5 GroundHawgs SuperBronco