starter shims
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Acadiana Louisiana
starter shims
My starter sometimes spins and spins until I turn key back and forth real fast. Last owner told me he installed new starter and did not put in any shims. Said put in a shim or two and I'll be fine.(thanks alot) Now I read this-"If you have to shim the starter, it's either incorrect, or the motor plate that goes between the engine and transmission is missing". It is a 1970 360 FE, what's the real story? I don't think there is any missing plates between engine and transmission but...
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From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't starter shiming strictly a GM thing not required on any Ford product? If you are having to shim a Ford starter I would think something is wrong I have put on plenty of them and never had any trouble.
-Johnboy
-Johnboy
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From: Anchorage Alaska
MY TRUCK IT DOES THAT SOME TIMES TOO,, THE STARTER spins and doesnt enguage with new starter, on 3 of my 6.9 ford diesels its like this once ina a while it doesnt enguage so i just hit the switch again and it usually works, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 times.
Ray
Ray
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
The bendix is stuck(the gear portion of starter). It should always engage, if not the starter is junk(new or not).
If the block plate was missing it would possibly grind as it starts because the gear is OVER egaging ring gear. That does not sound like the issue here.
I'd pull the starter and bench test it using a battery. See if the bendix comes out with every try. If not, get a new one.
If the block plate was missing it would possibly grind as it starts because the gear is OVER egaging ring gear. That does not sound like the issue here.
I'd pull the starter and bench test it using a battery. See if the bendix comes out with every try. If not, get a new one.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Acadiana Louisiana
Thanks Freighttrain, sounds like a plan. Gonna pull out soon as the ground dries. No grinding noise. This is my first Ford, my dad is a Ford guy, so getting one was inevitable I suppose. Could never afford the ones I wanted. Just out of curiosity does anyone know why they sell shims for Fords? I seen 'em at Summit and O'riely's.
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ford did have a started shim. a plate about the same thickness as the blockplate. i've also purchased new from napa. but i've only seen these on the m-series motors(two bolt starter).my 79 bronco had one.when i replaced the starter and turned in the core it was stuck to nose.when i installed the new starter it made noise until i reinstalled shim.not sure if ford did this or the difference between maybe a standard or auto transmission starter.nose is a little different in depth.wrong starter to trans type.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Acadiana Louisiana
Is there only one starter for 1970 360fe or one for auto one for manual? I have T-18 four speed. Parts stores here in town only ask for year and engine size, not trans or 2 or 4wd. Probably a dumb question but I want to do this only once if bench test doesn't work out and most parts guys here are useless, the rest marginal at best. Still raining like mad out there
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Lead Driver
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From: Ohio
If I recall "NumberDummy" just quoted in another thread that they are all the same for FE's.
Bill's our resident retired Ford parts guy that quotes part numbers as easy as spelling his name.
Bill's our resident retired Ford parts guy that quotes part numbers as easy as spelling his name.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: UPSTATE NY
are you guys talking about the most loudest embarrasing screeching noise imaginable, or just the starter simply spinning without engaging? because once in a blue moon mine does that. (the screeching)
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Anchorage Alaska
sound
mine is usually the embarassing slight grinding rRRRRrrrRrrrrrr sound that everyone in the parking lot can hear and look to see what piece of crap is making it.. 3 out of my 3 6.9 diesels do that.. 2 with new starters and one with the starter that came with it.. dos it about 25% of the time.
Ray
Ray
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From: Ohio
Could be a shim issue, but likely just a bad bendix. It's not engaging the teeth correctly, thus grinding. With all my vehicles, maybe 2 twice in 20 yrs has it ever ground. Sometimes it just has to, others it's because there is a real problem.