4.0l starter for a 2.8l?

[84sharris]

I am totally new to the bronco 2 world but I am loving it so far. I picked up an 84 2.8l over the summer, successfully completed the duraspark conversion and am currently doing a 4in suspension lift.

So here is the issue I am having. Out of nowhere the started began grinding, I figured out through research the the bolts were wrong so the starter would move away from the flywheel. I got the right bolts but it still grinds. No teeth are missing from the flywheel and it seems to be in pretty good shape. I have read that others have had the same issue and switching to a 4.0l starter is a viable option but it is mentioned that you need to pay attention to the wiring, what needs to be done to get this starter in my durasparked 2.8l and is it a real option?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

-Stu

 

[adsm08]

Very real option, very easy to do.

You need the starter from a 4.0 auto. Doesn't matter if you have a manual trans or not, you need the starter from a 4.0 auto. I would get the starter bolts for a 4.0 as well. I have used the 2.9 bolts on a 4.0 starter and I have used the 4.0 bolts on a 4.0 starter, get the 4.0 bolts.

As for wiring that isn't that hard either. The 2.8/2.9 starter has one wire, the 4.0 has two. When you do the swap take the wire going to your existing starter and put it on the smallest post of the 4.0 starter. Then run another battery cable between the B+ post at the starter and the B+ post at the starter relay.

 

[whopist]

My 85 Bronco2 5SP had the same grinding problem. Found this on internet:

"Hey I found a thing on a network my shop is part of. Apparently this is pretty common issue with the 2.8's.

Here is the post - "The problem is often the bell housing that warps, causing the starter to be pulled away from the ring gear. The easy fix is to install a larger 10 tooth drive in place of the OE 9 tooth

Another post says "The starter you need is a 3188 which has 9 tooth. Talk to a local rebuilder or auto-electric shop. Tell them make you the same starter with a 10 tooth drive of a 3196 Ford starter that is used on 85-90 Ford Escort with a 1.9L engine! Give it a try, it may solve your problem."

If you are handy, you can install the 10 tooth drive on your old starter and give it a try. I found NAPA part# BK 6561137. Carquest# 25-1983. And maybe O'Reilly #BWD SD353. I say maybe on the oreilly part because it is listed as 11 tooth, but the application is correct.
th drive. It is .100 larger and will engage .050 deeper into the flywheel, usually enough to "repair" the problem. Or you can go to a Carquest store (who handle our product) and order a 72-3170-10, which will already have the 10 tooth drive installed just to remedy the problem.""

I installed the 10 Tooth Drive on my existing starter, purchased from my local accessory rebuild shop. The free spinning/grinding starter trouble was over.

Good Luck,
whopist

 

[84sharris]

Thank you for the feedback! I am definitely going to weigh my options here and let you know how it all turns out. I'm just glad I have more than one option.

 

[wildbill23c]

HAHA, I knew I wasn't alone when I had my B2, it did the same thing, and after several attempts at trying to fix it, I finally gave up...that issue along with the major rust problems I had to let it go. Someday I'll get my hands on another RBV though .

I went so far as to drill the mounting holes on the bell housing completely through and got longer bolts with lock washers and lock nuts....FYI that doesn't fix it either LOL.

 

[84sharris]

Better late than never I guess but my issue a grinding starter has been resolved. I ended up tapping both bolt holes up to 7/16 which happens to be about the same size as the mounting holes for the starter(Used 1.5" length bolts with a washer). I also replaced the ring gear(Used a torch to heat it up to remove it and the same process to get the new one on), it didn't look that bad until I removed it and compared it to the new ring gear. Hopefully this ends up helping others in the future.

(Oh and the 4.0L starter didn't engage the flywheel at all)