Starter grinding problem

[adsm08]

@adsm08 By starter alignment plate do you mean the large one bolted between the engine and the trans?

Yes.

You should be able to remove all the bolts, except the two at the dowel pins (along the horizontal center line of the trans) which can be backed out about two turns, and slip the plate out for inspection.

 

[danielp3344]

OK just picked up the 4.0 starter, I'm going to install it but not fire anything up yet. I'll try to take pictures of all the stuff you guys were asking about.

 

[danielp3344]

OK, starter is in (haven't fired it up yet, or even hooked the battery back up). The trans tag (under one of the Tcase bolts) has 4 numbers: J1673, 1350-36, 120626, E87A-XX(Illegible). The door has been replaced at some point so no sticker . The VIN is 1FTCR15T6JPA24744. I checked both the mounting holes and neither is stripped, the block plate is bent a bit but seems fine otherwise. The trans has a removable pan. Sorry for lack of pics phone is bricked again atm. Anything to do before trying to crank it up again? I'm thinking I'll leave the ignition disabled for a while first.

 

[RonD]

You would have a Mitsubishi FM146 in a 1988 2.9l 4x4 Ranger

 

[danielp3344]

OK, the 4.0L starter does not work. The alignment is perfect but the nose of the starter doesn't reach quite far enough in so the gear never touches the flywheel. I'm debating machining away part of the mounting flange on the starter so it will fit or just swapping the 10 tooth drive into another 2.9 starter but this is getting frustrating...

 

[danielp3344]

(profile updated accordingly)

 

[RangerStrom]

The 10 tooth bendix fixed my grinding issues, its been over a month and no more grinding. When I made the change I also switched to longer bolts with a shoulder about the same length width as the starter flange and I wrapped the shoulders on the bolts with aluminum tape. My thought was to keep the starter as close to the flex plate even if the bolts work loose.

 

[danielp3344]

OK I fixed my issue, it was ignition timing. I set it way back (like 20 degrees ATDC) and it's been starting fine. Now I just need to tune it...

 

[Adrián Camacho]

OK I fixed my issue, it was ignition timing. I set it way back (like 20 degrees ATDC) and it's been starting fine. Now I just need to tune it...

How did you do it, I have the same problem :c

 

[danielp3344]

I just loosened the distributor hold down bolt (It's a total pain to reach) turned the dist back a bit and tightened the bolt again. I would suggest you check your timing with a timing light afterward to make sure it's about right if you don't have an ECM to dial it back with. FWIW mine is still starting fine.