starter alignment trouble

[dirtracer115]

i have a 91 ranger with a 65 ford 289 in it, im using a mustang ii C4, not sure exactly what year it came out of but the mustang 2 i got it out of had been converted to a V8. i am sure it is the M2 version because of the smaller bellhousing which fits much better in the ranger

since the first time i fired up the motor in the truck i have had starter issues, the original starter was a PMGR starter so it would fit not only the 2 bolt housing but the very tight space between it and the dual sump oil pan

because of poor idle the starter bolts cause loose going down the road and broke the bendix in the starter, i replaced it with the 4banger starter i had on hand and it turns over fine but it slips badly after a couple turns of the engine, or wont engage at all

ford starters ive never heard of having to shim, i was pretty sure that was a GM thing, but i was wondering if anyone has had this problem or has an off the wall idea cause ive tried the common sense solutions, tightening the bolts, trying to wiggle the starter around to see if there was a better position it could bolt too, tried to shim it with washers, and the problem starts again soon after. i have also noticed it gets worse after it has been warmed up or ran recently but i contributed that to built up compression being a new engine with new rings and seals

any ideas will be appreciated, $500 ranger with a built 1965 289 no fun to show off in if i cant get it to crank when i need it too

 

[baddad457]

Is the engine block plate present between the engine block and the bellhousing ? As far as starter bolts, use lock washers. Never had em back out of an engine, cam or no cam. The block plate is what indexes the starter to the flexplate

 

[V8 Level II]

Small block Ford starters came with at least 2 different nose projections, 2" and 2 3/8" IIRC. For the Bendix gear to engage properly, you need the correct combination of starter, bellhousing and flywheel/flexplate.

 

[dirtracer115]

i didnt know they had different nose lengths because it sounded like the pmgr starter would go out far enough to get a good bite

but after it acting up the past 2 weeks i checked it and decided the flywheel deff needs replaced now so after i change it ill check it out and see if it helps