1971 Ford F250 390 6.4L starter fitment issue
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2026
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1971 Ford F250 390 6.4L starter fitment issue
Hey there,
I recently purchased a 1971 Ford F250 with a 390 4.6L engine.
its a manual.
I recently had to change the starter and I made the rookie mistake of trading the old one in too early. Now I am having fitment issues with the new 3131 I am trying to install. Has anyone run into this issue? I ordered a mini starter to try but it hasn’t come yet. Just want to make sure I’m headed the right direction. I am getting a grinding sound from the 3131 in there, it’s not meshing right with the flywheel. The flywheel is in good shape.
I recently purchased a 1971 Ford F250 with a 390 4.6L engine.
its a manual.
I recently had to change the starter and I made the rookie mistake of trading the old one in too early. Now I am having fitment issues with the new 3131 I am trying to install. Has anyone run into this issue? I ordered a mini starter to try but it hasn’t come yet. Just want to make sure I’m headed the right direction. I am getting a grinding sound from the 3131 in there, it’s not meshing right with the flywheel. The flywheel is in good shape.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,601
Likes: 1,174
From: San Jose, CA
Don't have my book in front of me, but do the FE engines utilize different starters for manual vs automatic transmissions, like the Windsor family engines do?
Seems like yours should just have one starter available, but I don't remember for sure.
Speaking of certain... Are you certain that it's a 390? Or at least an FE of any size, instead of something else?
And I assume you meant to type 6.4 liters, as opposed to the 4.6 in your post? Just making sure!
And yep, rookie mistake for sure!
Back in the day, that wasn't such a big deal. Nowadays, you almost NEVER turn in an old part until you're sure that the new one not only fits, but also works.
Just from your memory, does the new one at least look like the old one? Could just be a defective unit, rather than the wrong one.
Good luck. Let us know how the new one works out when you get it.
Paul
Seems like yours should just have one starter available, but I don't remember for sure.
Speaking of certain... Are you certain that it's a 390? Or at least an FE of any size, instead of something else?
And I assume you meant to type 6.4 liters, as opposed to the 4.6 in your post? Just making sure!
And yep, rookie mistake for sure!
Back in the day, that wasn't such a big deal. Nowadays, you almost NEVER turn in an old part until you're sure that the new one not only fits, but also works.
Just from your memory, does the new one at least look like the old one? Could just be a defective unit, rather than the wrong one.
Good luck. Let us know how the new one works out when you get it.
Paul
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 255
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
Decades ago I took one off to replace. When we pulled the new one out to compare it was totally different. He goes pulls another one an it was different than the previous one. The 3rd one matched and worked.
With a lot of parts being purchased on line do a comparison before taking delivery is not going to happen then you have to deal with returns.
If you purchased it locally take it back and have them pull another one. You may find several different versions before you get the right one.
With a lot of parts being purchased on line do a comparison before taking delivery is not going to happen then you have to deal with returns.
If you purchased it locally take it back and have them pull another one. You may find several different versions before you get the right one.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
You better go to a few auto parts stores and have them pull a few starters for you to look at
Common rookie mistake that we have all made, me more than thrice
I have a 69 Boss 302 with a Lakewood scattershield and a Hayes flywheel, so I know your dillemma
The nose is the difference, and the number of teeth on the starter drive
Look at pictures of a few 390 ford starters on Ebay
146854107339 is one for an automatic
267631719402
Looks like there are 2 styles and there is a bunch to look at on Ebay
Look at the used ones
Common rookie mistake that we have all made, me more than thrice
I have a 69 Boss 302 with a Lakewood scattershield and a Hayes flywheel, so I know your dillemma
The nose is the difference, and the number of teeth on the starter drive
Look at pictures of a few 390 ford starters on Ebay
146854107339 is one for an automatic
267631719402
Looks like there are 2 styles and there is a bunch to look at on Ebay
Look at the used ones
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5th Gear
Joined: May 2026
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Yes sir, I am positive it’s a 390. Yes 4.6 liter!
the new one looks the same as the old one but the cone depth looks slightly longer and that’s where it’s getting hung up. I’ve heard of people having to buy a separate bendix with a different amount of teeth
the new one looks the same as the old one but the cone depth looks slightly longer and that’s where it’s getting hung up. I’ve heard of people having to buy a separate bendix with a different amount of teeth
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5th Gear
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5th Gear
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I’ve seen 9, 10 and 11 tooth starters so maybe I need to find the right one through trial and error
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