Automatic or manual transmission starter

[92ranger18]

I pulled a C4 transmission and stater out of an old f F100 and put behind the v8 in my ranger, and it sounds like its eating the flexplate up and it kicks back. It sounds horrible. Could it be the wrong starter? Ive got two shims on it now,and someone told me i shouldnt hav to shim a ford starter.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have no shims in mine and it works fine.

They have a different tooth count for different flexplate diameters too, I am not sure how they vary between manual and automatic though.

The best thing would probably be to get one for whatever bellhousing/transmission you are running.

 

[rednine4]

I have no shims in mine as well and it works good. First find out the count on the flex plate and then find the correct starter and you should be good. I had to do quite a bit of research before I finally determined I had the correct starter all along lol. There arent too many variations of starters used so it should'nt take you too long to get it working. If you need a part number let me know.. I have the 157tooth flex on my c4 so i can give you the starter # that works with that if needed.

 

[92ranger18]

When i pulled the tranmission i got the starter and flexplate and dust cover i had to buy a flexplate with an imbalance weight on it because it came out of an olf f100 with the straight six. The tooth count is 164. how do i go about finding if it is the right starter or not

 

[92ranger18]

I went to the parts store today to get a new starter and the guy behind the counter said that the computer shows no difference between an auto or manual starter for my year model motor which is an 87 from a mustang. Should i order one for the year model and truck that the trans came from? realy need help

 

[V8 Level II]

Some 302s (Fox Mustang, for example) use the same starter regardless of the transmission.

For others, the starter nose length could be different for manual and automatic. This is the case for many truck applications. The starter, transmission bell, block plate and flywheel/flexplate need to be correctly matched.

 

[92ranger18]

Some 302s (Fox Mustang, for example) use the same starter regardless of the transmission.

For others, the starter nose length could be different for manual and automatic. This is the case for many truck applications. The starter, transmission bell, block plate and flywheel/flexplate need to be correctly matched.

The transmission came from a f-100 and so did the starter. How do I know which flexplate bell housing and starter i need?

 

[V8 Level II]

The transmission came from a f-100 and so did the starter. How do I know which flexplate bell housing and starter i need?

If you know the model and year of the donor, maybe a Ford dealer could help you

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Have you tried a different starter? With no shims?

If the flexplate, bellhousing and starter are all for a 164t setup it should work fine.

I have no idea what my bellhousing is out of, starter came with my '78 5.0 originally out of a LTD and last in a early 80's Mustang and the flexplate came with my '87 5.0 out of a Crown Victoria. It all works fine.

I did have a starter in my 2.8 that had a worn drive that would sound terrible on a good day and bind and stick in (arc the solenioid closed so it wouldn't quit cranking) After the stupid thing died in an intersection and then stuck, out of disgust I drove it with the starter in. It stayed with it for a little while but somewhere around 1000rpm kicked out with a huge commotion. It sounded really bad after that...

The bellhousing is flush with the rear of the trans, as long as you put the seperator in there there is nothing to play with that way. 164t is 164t. The only thing that could be different is the offset of the flexplate, if in doubt use whatever application you used when you ordered it.

 

[92ranger18]

Have you tried a different starter? With no shims?


i havent yet im gonna go buy a new one today and try it without shims. but i dont know if there is a difference in starters because the starter off a 1989 f150 straight shift with the straight six looks identical to the one i pulled with the auto. and they are both 164 tooth flywheel/flexplate

 

[V8 Level II]

the starter off a 1989 f150 straight shift with the straight six looks identical to the one i pulled with the auto. and they are both 164 tooth flywheel/flexplate

Check the length of the starter nose. Not sure about the 1989 F-series auto vs. manual but in 96 one is about 2" and the other is about 2 3/8".

Also, if you're using a flexplate from a donor, make sure it has the right balance factor. Early 302 is 28 in-oz, late like your 87 Mustang is 50 in-oz. You should not use a six cylinder flex plate with a 302. IIRC, the 300 six is zero balance.

Did you install the block plate between the engine and trans? Without it, the starter spacing will be wrong even if you're using the right starter.

 

[92ranger18]

Check the length of the starter nose. Not sure about the 1989 F-series auto vs. manual but in 96 one is about 2" and the other is about 2 3/8".

Also, if you're using a flexplate from a donor, make sure it has the right balance factor. Early 302 is 28 in-oz, late like your 87 Mustang is 50 in-oz. You should not use a six cylinder flex plate with a 302. IIRC, the 300 six is zero balance.

Did you install the block plate between the engine and trans? Without it, the starter spacing will be wrong even if you're using the right starter.

i bought a brand new flexplate with a 50 oz imbalance and yes the straight six either zero balance or is internaly balanced and yes i installed the block plate between the engine an trans.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i havent yet im gonna go buy a new one today and try it without shims. but i dont know if there is a difference in starters because the starter off a 1989 f150 straight shift with the straight six looks identical to the one i pulled with the auto. and they are both 164 tooth flywheel/flexplate

The gear could be worn though.

 

[PetesPonies]

I guess I turned my first wrench on a Ford about 39 years ago. I have never had a problem with a Ford starter that needed a shim. However, the V8 I put in the Bronco had a strange whine to it. It started, but the noise wasn't normal. I tried another starter, same thing. I then bought a NAPA shim for the starter and it works as it should now. You just never know

BTW, I used my stock C5/C4 that was converted.