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1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 10:13 AM
  #1  
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starter gear

At random, the starter gear will spin free. Either not extending fully or something.
The starter was brand new Jan 2008.
I am going to take it off and have "them" check it, but I also want to check my flywheel.
Here's the question. How do I turn the motor to check the whole flywheel with the starter removed? These engines are very "stiff".
 
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 10:17 AM
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The motor can be turned over by putting a socket and breaker bar on the bolt that holds the front vibration damper on the crankshaft. Turn it clockways .
 
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 10:34 AM
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Yep, it's a bear to roll over by hand but the breaker bar method farmet suggested is about the only way. 17.5:1 compression blows

The shaft and gear on the starter has very close tolerances.
Most time a good cleaning will stop it from hanging up.
Do not oil it, that will only attract dirt causing it to hang again.
Hope you didn't hurt the flywheel gear.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Cuda_jim
Yep, it's a bear to roll over by hand but the breaker bar method farmet suggested is about the only way. 17.5:1 compression blows
I hear the breaker bar is the way to go but its hella difficult....you could always have a beer and relax today, then procrastinate till tomorrow lol

 
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 08:02 AM
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Ok, yesterday I checked my flywheel.
It has alot of damage on the starter side of teeth in random spots.
About the first 1/16" of the teeth are damaged. When the engine is stopped at these is when it gives me a problem, but it never leaves me stranded. A few key turns and it catches and starts. The Bendix looks fine, a few nicks here and there.
Question#1 - How in the hell would this happen?
Question#2 - What is average cost to have flywheel replaced? (Too big of job without proper equipment to pull Transfer/Tranny).
 
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by jle70
Ok, yesterday I checked my flywheel.
It has alot of damage on the starter side of teeth in random spots.
About the first 1/16" of the teeth are damaged. When the engine is stopped at these is when it gives me a problem, but it never leaves me stranded. A few key turns and it catches and starts. The Bendix looks fine, a few nicks here and there.

Question#1 - How in the hell would this happen?
Question#2 - What is average cost to have flywheel replaced? (Too big of job without proper equipment to pull Transfer/Tranny).
The flywheel gear was hurt by the starter. Continuing to use it that way will just make it worse...but at this point it doesn't matter. It's going to be expensive to repair either
way if you pay someone to do it.
I can't remember exactly how the gear is installed on the flywheel/flex-plate. If it's pressed on (tack welded), it could be pressed off, turned over and reinstalled. I've done this a few times with good results.
 
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 11:56 AM
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A good way to turn engine over is to use the starter relay on passenger side of fender. It has three terminals on it. Two with RED wires and large nuts and one wire at the top which is a push on connection (red/Lt Blu) on my rig. If you unplug the push on connector and jumper that connector (on the relay) to the plus side of the battery the engine will crank. Actually you just want to very quicky touch the battery plus terminal, like stricking a match to turn engine a few degrees. Worked very good when I replaced my lift pump to raise it before removing.
 
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jle70
At random, the starter gear will spin free. Either not extending fully or something.
The starter was brand new Jan 2008.
I am going to take it off and have "them" check it, but I also want to check my flywheel.
Here's the question. How do I turn the motor to check the whole flywheel with the starter removed? These engines are very "stiff".
A good way to turn engine over is to use the starter relay on passenger side of fender. It has three terminals on it. Two with RED wires and large nuts and one wire at the top which is a push on connection (red/Lt Blu) on my rig. If you unplug the push on connector and jumper that connector (on the relay) to the plus side of the battery the engine will crank. Actually you just want to very quicky touch the battery plus terminal, like stricking a match to turn engine a few degrees. Worked very good when I replaced my lift pump to raise it before removing.
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Jim

X2 on using the starter relay.
JLE70 are you the original owner?
Rocky
 

Last edited by DRRXR; Apr 6, 2009 at 12:38 PM. Reason: Typo
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Hussler
A good way to turn engine over is to use the starter relay on passenger side of fender............
Originally Posted by DRRXR
X2 on using the starter relay.
JLE70 are you the original owner?
Rocky

He has a bad ring gear on the flywheel, the starter will not roll the engine over if the gear is toast.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 08:30 AM
  #10  
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I am going to try and replace the flywheel myself.
I know I will have to get Transmission jack.
After disconnecting all electrical and mounting will it slide far enough back to unbolt flywheel?
Will the Torque converter slide out with tranny?
Could have the damage been caused by starter gear and flywheel not being "perfect" mesh?
Never had any truck damage flywheel like this.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 08:42 AM
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Good call, you'll save a bunch of $$ doing it your self.
A bad starter caused the damage.

You can remove the trans with the transfer case attached or not, you need a helper if you decide to leave it on. It's very hard to handle with it attached. Lopsided.

The TC will come out with the trans but it needs to be un-bolted from the flex plate first. You need to rotate the engine by hand to expose all the fasteners. By the time you slide it back enough to remove the flywheel you might as well drop it out all the way to gain more room to work.

Look here for a factory service manual:
1996 Bronco/F-Series Workshop Manual

Click the pdf file below:
.
.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 09:42 AM
  #12  
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Any prefered flywheel replacement? Where to order?
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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Not aware of any after market flexplates (flywheel), you may be held captive to the Ford gods....or maybe IH but I doubt it because it's not their trans.

If the ring gear is welded on you can cuit off and flip it over and re-weld.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 11:33 AM
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If you have auto you have a flexplate. Napa lists them for $125 list. Part number is 6005155. If you have 5 sp Napa only lists complete flywheels. Single mass is around $300 part #502701 or dual mass at $1500 part number 50167750.

If you don't have a Napa near by take those numbers to the part store and see if they can cross reference them
 
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 11:42 AM
  #15  
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Someone rep TJ, those #'s helped me a lot, but I gotta spread love so I cant get him. The NAPA guys in my little town are idiots and cant ever find parts.
 
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