have to put a wedge between the starter and pan

[aeidian]

89 2.9 4x4 Ranger FM146 manual transmission

Did a transmission R&R, replaced the flywheel and starter as well. Platethat goes between bellhousing and block got ****ed up during change out, so I put washers around all the bolts that are the same thickness as the plate was. Starter alignment seems off, like crooked. Turning the ignition the starter just freespun. I wedged a sliver of wood between the starter and oil pan to move it away from the block a bit and it starts just fine. Did I miss putting something back in? Why would the starter be crooked? The transmission itself can't be as it has the same size washers all the way around and its torqued to specs. Was there a piece that angled the starter like the wood is doing that I didn't notice when I pulled the transmission out? It wasn't doing this before I pulled the transmission.

 

[Big Jim M]

Didja place the old and new flywheel one on top of the other to see if they were EXACT replacements?
The reason for the the plate instead of WASHERS is to keep the innerds clean and dry! Putting washers in there may work... but won't be the same.
I'd be for pulling it apart and putting it back together with the proper parts..
Big JIm

 

[aeidian]

I couldn't track down a replacement plate, so spacing the transmission with washers seemed like the best thing to do. Figured I could fabricate a sheet metal plate later. I didn't. Check the flywheel, but the part number was the same from every retailer I checked so if its the wrong one, I would have gotten the same wrong one everywhere I think.

 

[low_five]

That plate is very important for locating the starter. Without it, the starter has a wide range of motion, but with it, the starter only fits in one spot. Sorry, you are going to have to jam it somehow.

 

[Strieg]

That 'plate' is a dust cover, and it's technical name is a block plate, or engine to bell housing separation plate. Try searching for one with that name, I saw a few on summit racing.com. And if you can't find one you might try flattening yours back out. It's doable. I just did mine, but it wasn't totally f****d. If not there's always the junkyard.