Spacer plate?

TillamookB2 · Apr 4, 2014

When I got the 1991 4.0 for my 88 B2, it had a thin plate that went between the bellhousing and the engine. After cleaning, I could see that it has 'Auto' stamped on it. I'm using my FM146 transmission with the 4.0. Is this plate needed, or do I need a different one? The 4.0 came from a 1991 Explorer with auto transmission.

Lost Bushman · Apr 4, 2014

I know that when converting to the 4.0 clutch in the FM146 bolted on the 2.9, you need the 4.0 MANUAL plate. The auto and manual starters are different sizes. But if you already have the 4.0, I don't know if it changes.

TillamookB2 · Apr 4, 2014

So, taking a 4.0 from an auto and using it with a manual requires a different starter, too? I'll have to go to junkyard dude and see if he's got one of the manual plates.

country0001 · Apr 4, 2014

Yes, the manual starter is different from the auto one. i think you have to change the plate too. I don't remember if I did. If I did, I used the plate from the 2.9.

TillamookB2 · Apr 4, 2014

I should have kept that plate from my 2.9. Oh well. Junkyard dude has a bunch of older Rangers. He's gotta have what I'm looking for.

adsm08 · Apr 4, 2014

The 2.9 manual, auto and 4.0 auto plates are all the same. The 4.0 manual plate is the odd man out because those first three all have the 8 2/3" flywheel or flex plate. The 4.0 manual uses a 10" flyhweel, which is why that plate is different. The starter has to be father out.

4x4junkie · Apr 4, 2014

adsm08 said:
The 2.9 manual, auto and 4.0 auto plates are all the same. The 4.0 manual plate is the odd man out because those first three all have the 8 2/3" flywheel or flex plate. The 4.0 manual uses a 10" flyhweel, which is why that plate is different. The starter has to be father out.

I have a 2.9L manual plate with a 4.0L clutch, flywheel & starter swap on my 2.9L. All I had to do was enlarge the starter hole dia about 2mm to fit the 4.0L starter (not changing it's position at all). I don't think anything would be different if all this same stuff was actually behind a 4.0L, would it?

alwaysFlOoReD · Apr 4, 2014

Is the pinion on the starter a different diameter to accommodate different size flywheel?

Richard

4x4junkie · Apr 4, 2014

I think the difference is the 4.0L starter has an offset pinion (it's a gear-reduction starter). The 2.9L starter has a centered pinion (direct-drive).

TillamookB2 · Apr 5, 2014

Well, I went back to junkyard dude and was able to get the manual plate from my old 2.9. I'll leave the plate as it is for the moment. I've been unable to locate a 4.0 manual starter so far. The guy I'm borrowing the engine hoist from needs it back tomorrow night, so I'll put it all together with the 2.9 plate. When I get the starter, I can dremel the plate where needed to get the new starter to fit right. Does anyone foresee any issues I may run into?

4x4junkie · Apr 5, 2014

Just make sure you Dremel it out nice & evenly so that you don't alter the hole's center position (go a little at a time just until you can fit the starter through the hole) and you should be fine. Probably would be easier to do this without the plate in between your engine & trans though (maybe a local auto parts store might let you borrow an old starter motor core for a moment to use as a reference? Just a thought if you've already exhausted all the junkyards in your area)

Spacer plate?

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