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I have a 1984 Ranger 4x2 with 2.3l and automatic. I have been chasing my tail with rebuilt starters being noisy then not engaging the teeth on the ring gear. Having enough of that I have it torn down swapping in a manual trans, reworked flywhhel (new ring gear), etc. to put in a 5 speed from another Ranger.
Teeth on the automatic's flwplate are all shaved off on one side, pinion did not have metal left to turn the engine over. Metal shavings everywhere in the bell housing of the auto trans.
I mocked up the final assembly with the engine shim, an old starter with pinion extended, into the bolted up ositions they will rest in. Plenty of engagement. The 5 speed bell housing was "Shaved" to get the trans face and block face parallel. This is something I learned off an '80 Capri with 4 speed and 200 Cu. In. six banger that did the same thing.
I am guessing, but does the bell housing heat up with the single exhaust and starter acting as a heat sink allowing the housing to warp? With that old 6 banger and now the 4 banger it looks like that could be happening. Driving a while and getting the manifild scortching going through a mud puddle on the curb side of the car surely ends up in a "Quech" and warp situation.
The Capri had 150k on it. The Ranger just turned 53k original miles, yet the same problem. Rebuilt starters continue to function, just the engagement is at issue. As much of a pain as it is I plan to fabricate a heat shield between the manifold, starter, and bell housing.
Watch think?
Teeth on the automatic's flwplate are all shaved off on one side, pinion did not have metal left to turn the engine over. Metal shavings everywhere in the bell housing of the auto trans.
I mocked up the final assembly with the engine shim, an old starter with pinion extended, into the bolted up ositions they will rest in. Plenty of engagement. The 5 speed bell housing was "Shaved" to get the trans face and block face parallel. This is something I learned off an '80 Capri with 4 speed and 200 Cu. In. six banger that did the same thing.
I am guessing, but does the bell housing heat up with the single exhaust and starter acting as a heat sink allowing the housing to warp? With that old 6 banger and now the 4 banger it looks like that could be happening. Driving a while and getting the manifild scortching going through a mud puddle on the curb side of the car surely ends up in a "Quech" and warp situation.
The Capri had 150k on it. The Ranger just turned 53k original miles, yet the same problem. Rebuilt starters continue to function, just the engagement is at issue. As much of a pain as it is I plan to fabricate a heat shield between the manifold, starter, and bell housing.
Watch think?
