Starter Teeth Demolition
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 322
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From: Hutto, Tx
Starter Teeth Demolition
I just bought an 86 Bronco with 351W. The starter that was in it had all of its teeth shredded. I replaced the starter and put a shim in with it. When I try to start it, it moved the engine some but most the time it is making a grinding noise.
Is it the wrong starter? A starter alignment issue? Engine trying to seize [but you can turn it by hand]? Bad teeth on the flywheel[they feel ok]?
Is it the wrong starter? A starter alignment issue? Engine trying to seize [but you can turn it by hand]? Bad teeth on the flywheel[they feel ok]?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Flex plate (flywheel) broke around the circle of bolts that secure it to the main shaft?
Bell housing bolts loose? If they are its usually a sure sign the flex plate has broke, not always necessary for the plate to brake though.
Bell housing bolts loose? If they are its usually a sure sign the flex plate has broke, not always necessary for the plate to brake though.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Hutto, Tx
Actually the start itself turned it a few times in between all of the grinding. I will check the ratchet turning again this afternoon, but I was able to turn it by hand last week.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
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I agree, provided he has teeth all around the ring gear and provided danr1 is not right.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
It's very likely the starter has ground the teeth off an area of the ring gear, found this very thing on the motor I just pulled out, thought my starter looked OK.
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More Turbo
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Probably the best thing to do is pull the starter, and have a friend rotate the engine with a ratchet. Look through the bell housing at all the teeth as they rotate.
I think if the flex plate broke it would be flopping around and making a whole lot of noise, plus, it was noted that the teeth appeared ok in one section. You would definitely notice if the flex plate had broken off of the converter...
I think if the flex plate broke it would be flopping around and making a whole lot of noise, plus, it was noted that the teeth appeared ok in one section. You would definitely notice if the flex plate had broken off of the converter...
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Hutto, Tx
The flexplate was ground down.........engine is fine. Took the engine out and replaced the flexplatae and the starter........ Then I put the engine in a 1978 F150........starts and runs great!