Which Starter Will Work?

[rednine4]

So I bolted my engine to trans etc... and test fit a few starters I had laying around. None of them seem to fit my flex plate. I need to know which starter will work for my bellhousing flex etc..

here's what I have:

157 tooth flexplate
C4 Transmission
JW bellhousing (as mentioned in the V-8 swap articles)

 

[onehotpocket]

You need to know the year and model of the car of your c4 came off of. And your flexplate should match your c4.

164/157 tooth doesn't matter to the starter - the tooth spacing is identical. What matters is how far out the starter gear comes from the starter. It needs to fully engage to prevent damage or to even work.

Once you figure out what the c4 and flexplate is out of you can just go to the auto parts store and ask for a starter for that vehicle and they should hook you up. That's what I did with my swap.

Dave

 

[racing83x]

Try and get a starter with the solenoid on the starter. 92-newer. They are a lot smaller than the old style and gives you more clearance for exhaust

 

[rednine4]

Well the C4 is a C5/C4 Hybrid from an 85 bronco II. The flexplate is this one http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TCI-529610/ and the bellhousing is this onehttp://www.jegs.com/i/J+W+Performance/564/92480/10002/-1

 

[red rocket]

try and find the number on the tranny, and cross refrence that number to find year, when i doubt go to the junk yard

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The bellhousing shouldn't matter, it isn't like the starter mounting is going to be anywhere but flush with the back of the block or so far out from the crankshaft for a given ring gear.

If the depth is different, I would start by looking at factory applications for the 157t.

 

[onehotpocket]

Yeah I guess what should really matter is what the flexplate is technically for. If you find that out you just need to order a starter for that vehicle. I was thinking that you had the flexplate that came with that transmission or something - didn't realize you had bought a new one.

That flexplate says it's a 50 ounce imbalance. Are you sure that's correct for your engine?

 

[rednine4]

Yes it's a 50 oz imbalance which is correct for my engine.

 

[onehotpocket]

Alright just making sure. Wasn't sure what else you had in your set up and didn't want you to make a costly error.

 

[rednine4]

Yeah I think factory applications for the 157t would be a good place to start.. i've googled it but I have trouble finding solid info on it... seems like these 157t were sorta rare or at least hard to come by

 

[onehotpocket]

If you look at the "applications" tab on the Summit page for your flexplate you should be able to find what it "fit" in there.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah I think factory applications for the 157t would be a good place to start.. i've googled it but I have trouble finding solid info on it... seems like these 157t were sorta rare or at least hard to come by

Look for older, smaller vehicles like Mustangs or other smaller 289/302 cars. They are not overly common because most things they built were bigger than that and got the 164t bellhousing.

The applications thing on Summits site is too generic to trust. Kinda odd that they say a 50oz imbalance flexplate will work on a 289.

 

[rednine4]

Look for older, smaller vehicles like Mustangs or other smaller 289/302 cars. They are not overly common because most things they built were bigger than that and got the 164t bellhousing.

The applications thing on Summits site is too generic to trust. Kinda odd that they say a 50oz imbalance flexplate will work on a 289.

I noticed the same thing about summit being sorta generic. It can be useful for certain parts though. I will check for some older models.... I was thinking older mustang, maverick, or comet...

 

[rednine4]

What's hard to understand is how articles in the v8 swap info point towards using the 157 tooth bell and flexplate.. .yet there is not specifed starter to use with them. I'm sure the answer is out there somewhere lol.

 

[Mac]

This subject has been ongoing at one of the Mustang sites also. I measured a 157T flywheel, a '72' 157T flexplate for a C-4 and a 164T flexplate from an Explorer and they all measured 1" from crank mounting surface to the back of the ring gear. Measured an aftermarket FRPP flywheel and it's at 3/4". Most starters will work and have the correct engagement mesh. Copied from one of the better experts at that site:

All the Ford starters for the 289-351W are the same with an exception for a few applications that use a "short throw" starter.
The only difference in the starter for the standard and autos is the nose and if you have the wrong one it will make noise like a buzz saw until the ring gear chews the excess metal on the nose away. The problem you are having is that the arm(under the cover) is supposed to be pulled down magnetically as the starter is engaged. Since it is not then just get a starter for your engine/transmission combo and your problems will be over.


Dave of the Nord