2.9L Flywheel/Starter Help!

[TroyM]

truck is 87 ranger 2.9L 5 speed

previous owner said he swapped in a different or newer motor. he could be full of shit, or he might have actually put a different motor in it.

ever since i had the truck the starter motor has been noisy. It eventually got worse and worse and started grinding when i went to start it. It finally just tore the flywheel ring gear to shreds and i had to put a new flywheel and clutch in it. at the same time , i put a new pinion gear in the starter motor and got the truck back together. it was still noisy but it always started.

now it started to grind again so i said screw it and put a brand new starter motor in. the new starter motor is quieter but it grinds right before the motor fires up. something is weird.

dealership says 85-89 90-92 are all the same part # for flywheel. so even if the motor is not an 87 like the truck is, the flywheel and starter should all work together, going on the thought that everything is 87'

maybe the ring gear is not thick enough?

 

[TroyM]

no one has a clue?

starter still grinds right before the motor fires up, but not when cranking

 

[okietheranger]

ive had problems with starters even new ones from the auto parts store finally after about 6 warrentys i got a quite one it seamed to work fine, i think the rebuilds are just pos hope that helps

 

[Natedog]

truck is 87 ranger 2.9L 5 speed

previous owner said he swapped in a different or newer motor. he could be full of shit, or he might have actually put a different motor in it.

ever since i had the truck the starter motor has been noisy. It eventually got worse and worse and started grinding when i went to start it. It finally just tore the flywheel ring gear to shreds and i had to put a new flywheel and clutch in it. at the same time , i put a new pinion gear in the starter motor and got the truck back together. it was still noisy but it always started.

now it started to grind again so i said screw it and put a brand new starter motor in. the new starter motor is quieter but it grinds right before the motor fires up. something is weird.

dealership says 85-89 90-92 are all the same part # for flywheel. so even if the motor is not an 87 like the truck is, the flywheel and starter should all work together, going on the thought that everything is 87'

maybe the ring gear is not thick enough?

87 and 88 are same starter, flywheel etc. Later models with M5r1 tranny use a different and physically smaller starter....iirc you have to change the positive battery cable to fit or something.....

Lots of crappy POS rebuilt starters for sale all around! Buy the better looking (and usually higher dollar) rebuilts and you should have alot less trouble.