Starter gear problem

[enginepaul]

I've been having starter problems and need to know if anyone here has use the 10 (ten) tooth gear on their 2.8 with 5 speed transmission.

I'm on my third starter in about six months; they work at first, then they get noisy and eventually just spin.
I have replaced the flywheel, but ordered a new one and before attacking this mess, I have heard that the 10 tooth is the proper gear, but the ones I have on hand are 9 tooth - I don't have the one that has been in there for about ten years with no problems until the end.

 

[TimR]

the problem is, all the auto parts say there is no difference in the automatic starter... BS. Get a Reman, from Ford, it is the only option, unless you get the nose cone off of an original stick starter. the nose rotation is off by about a 1/4".

 

[dangerranger83]

Im running a starter off an auto tranny on my manual tranny, TK4, if that helps any. But I am running an 85 flywheel, bellhouse and internal slave too on my 84 engine all in front of an 83 tranny.

If I do get a new one, I go to autozone and get one with a LLT warrenty on it and Im good to go.

 

[TimR]

yup, as long as you don't mind changing them every week or so... lol

 

[enginepaul]

Nice tips - except that I do have a Ford re-manufactured starter with the same problem as before. Autozone gives a great warantee on paper - bought one from them right around the corner from where I broke down the first time and they WOULD NOT give me back my money; guy said I need a recipient for the one I bought elsewhere to replace their junk part. (had the same problem with a brake booster, but took another chance because it was in walking distance)

One lesson that I learned is not to get the core charge until after the new part works for a while.

I'll look into the auto trans starter situation.

 

[TimR]

Nice tips - except that I do have a Ford re-manufactured starter with the same problem as before. Autozone gives a great warantee on paper - bought one from them right around the corner from where I broke down the first time and they WOULD NOT give me back my money; guy said I need a recipient for the one I bought elsewhere to replace their junk part. (had the same problem with a brake booster, but took another chance because it was in walking distance)

One lesson that I learned is not to get the core charge until after the new part works for a while.

I'll look into the auto trans starter situation.

And you told Ford it was a Stick? They should know better...

 

[dangerranger83]

My autozone keeps all the warrenty stuff in there computer system. Had to replace a coil and dura-box a few months back and all they did was look it up and say ok. All I had to do was give back the one that I bought from them.

 

[user111]

I have a automatic and had starter problems, finally I learn that I needed a spacer. I forget now but there is a way to check alingment of Starter gear to flywheel gear, Check out how the the starter gear engages flywheel. Auto zone does seem to have good rebuilt starters now as I got my last one there ...and also the spacer. I regret I lost the information on how to check alignment of Starter gear to Flywheel.

 

[strvger]

mine was switched to the 10 tooth and starts much better now. quieter and quicker starts for sure.

 

[enginepaul]

An update. I put in a ten tooth gear and everything was fine except that I also replaced the solenoid with the 'best' that O'Rielly has. The made in China solenoid stuck once; a junk-yard genuine Ford part is better.

I just put in a new fly-wheel and original 9-tooth starter and will see how this works. Unfortunately, this is a China flywheel too. We shall see, but for now it is fine.

FYI: The starter can only go on one way and the clearance is determined by the rear engine plate and when I bolted it to the transmission bell-housing, it didn't make more than a couple thousandths of difference. Some Fords could use a flywheel shim, but not these Rangers.
Auto and stick starters are the same from the parts stores. If there is a difference from the factory, it would be slight if any. I held an auto and a stick starter-drive together and didn't see and difference - but I didn't use a micrometer to see if there were any measurable differences.