Well i replaced the starter, thought i had it then started grinding again. Seems to be the flexplate couse if i turn the motor some it'll catch again. I did start it and break in the cam. Called it quits for now. Might look at it some more tommorow. I still find it odd the starter looks like its only engaging like a 1/4 of the flexplate with the gear out. No way to move starter any closer that i can see.Stuka wrote:Sounds like the pinion isnt shooting forward like it should. When not starting, the starters pinion should NOT be touching the flexplate. When you hit start, the pinion should shoot forward to engage with the flex plate.
You may need to pull the start and give it 12V on a bench to see if the pinion is shooting out. If it isn't, you most likely need another starter.
Im actually not sure, its a bad pic ill have to take another look, the grey stuff on the teeth is grease. Flex plate is on right and converter is spaced per instuctions. Flex plate was new bedore the starter ground on it and chipped 1/4 of a tooth off. I did some research and found some forum posts with the same issue, starter only engaging 1/4 of the ring gear. It seems its something with the starters getting re built with ford nose cones or something. You might be alright running stock compression, im around 12:1. So i bought a powermaster starter, figured I'd need it anyway, i am hoping it will engage the ring gear better and i might get away with leaving the flex plate. Will report back when starter comes in.230ohc wrote:Having had a second look at the Pic, I'd say your flex plate is damaged . What is that protruding off toward the torque convertor?
Nope, trans has amc bell housing. No adapter, just block plate. Its like the ring gear on the flex plater was welded on too far rear- ward.babywag wrote:this thing have funky nailhead adapter setup?
might have wrong "new" parts...
Yes, autozone "premium"babywag wrote:Could be incorrect starter. There are different nose cone lengths if the wrong one is used they chew up the flexplate.
It's gotten me and several others. Is this a reman starter?
The late model starters have a different pinion tooth count. Made to work with the late model 727 flexplate.candymancan wrote:Wagoneers used two starters i know that.. the grand wagoneers from like 89 and up used smaller starters.. The older ones used really big fat ones.. The oil pan changed in the last few years as well... I got an oil pan from an 87 or was it an 88 i forgot one of the two years. and it wouldnt fit on my 90 due to the starter being in the way.
No idea why they changed this in the last few years but whatever...
Perhaps you have one of the two starters im reffering too and you need the other one
He has not been active since 2022. He likely won't get a notification of your question unless you quote his post. Assuming he has them enabled.datherto wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 8:14 pm It looks like it has been a few years since you modified your starter to solve the problem. Did the fix last??? I am going on my 4th flex plate and 5th or 6th starter … it’s now obvious every starter out there seems to not be engaging enough. I am contemplating doing the same modification you did…. So just wondering if the Fix lasted
First post - welcome from Boston.datherto wrote: ↑Wed Jul 19, 2023 8:14 pm It looks like it has been a few years since you modified your starter to solve the problem. Did the fix last??? I am going on my 4th flex plate and 5th or 6th starter … it’s now obvious every starter out there seems to not be engaging enough. I am contemplating doing the same modification you did…. So just wondering if the Fix lasted