Hi i have a 1981 ford f-100 custom truck it has the staight 6 manule trans.My thing is the starter went out so i get one from pepboys and it works a couple of times and then it starts to just spin.I go to take it out and the gear on the starter is behind the flywheel so i get it loose and take it back get another one put it in works a couple times and starts spin not every time it seems once it works its starts the rest of the day and it loves to just spin first thing start in the morning.tThe flywheel looks good does any body know whats going on.

 

Are they giving you the correct starter? If you can talk them out of the money, I would go somewhere else. I guess you gave them your old starter?

 

Yes i gave them the old one.They have another one there they say will fit but it is small in diameter and the cone is shorter then the one i took of the one i took of look like a rebuild one.

 

ok I had a problem to with my starter in my 81 f-150 it would start it ok and while it was running it would make a noise like it was spinning so I tried shimming the starter and same thing I took it back and founr out they gave me a starter for a auto trany instead of a mannual so try to call pepboy have them look up the starter for a mannual starter and see if the part numbers match up or not that might be your problem

 

This is why I do the research on their web sites so I know I get the right part.

 

That's Pepboys for ya! I ain't never had luck with them. Also, they won't take electrical parts back! Do make sure it's for a manual too.

 

The starter is for a manul trans and it also has a lifetime warrenty.

 

When you are working on a vehicle, keep in the back of your mind the sequence of events.

Your original starter had a certain problem, you didn't say what it was, but I am assuming it was a different problem. You put the new starter on, and now you have a different problem? If you have a different problem, then it's either something you have done, or it's the new starters.

If you have the same problem with the new starters that you did with the old starter, then you haven't fixed the original problem yet.

 

Not saying you don't know, but maybe the old starter was locked up and all you had to do to unlock it was hit it with a hammer a couple of times. But there still a problem because the starter shouldn't lock up. Something is binding up and causing even the new one to go off track. Are you sure your flywheel has all of its teeth?

 

I was sure it had all its teeth until yesterday it started make a crunching noise like it took a few teeth off.I going to buy a new key switch and the ingition switch see if that works.If not then a will get new flywheel and starter.Can i have a manule trans with a automadtic flywheel?

 

No; flywheel == manual trans, flexplate == auto trans.

 

Could my starter case freeze and cause this to happen it seems that this problem started when it started to freeze at night.My wife had a chinies dirtbike and the case would freeze.

 

Is the bell housing open on the bottom?

It could allow dirt and moisture to get in the bottom.

My 1981 has a "slit" at the bottom where the bell housing and the flywheel inspection plate come together, exposing the flywheel.

 

Assuming your flexplate/flywheel has all its teeth, this problem sounds like the Bendix in
the starter motor - best way to describe it is: an apparatus that lets the starter motor turn
the engine on demand but prevents the engine from turning the motor (and thus burning it
up). I've nevr purchased parts like this from Pep Boys, don't think I ever will due
exclusively to the impression I get of 'em reading these forums.

Oh, another reason: was looking to get u-joints but the only ones they had were the el-
cheapo Chinese variants.

Anyhow, I'd suggest getting one from a Ford dealer. Sure, you'll pay more, but it'll probably
work; but, there's always the chance that a PO has assembled the driveline in a
non-standard fashion using non-standard parts.

-ct

 

You can buy Ford parts at other than dealer locations.