New tranny in but now I hear a loud buzzing noise.

Hey guys, I just did a 3 speed manual conversion to auto on my g/f's 66 mustang. Everything is installed (except neutral safety switch) and when I went to start it up the starter didn't sound like it was engaging right. And then when the engine fired up, it made this very loud winding/buzzing noise. I shut it off right away because it was really bad. Any idea what it is? I made sure the converter seated correctly, and plus, I don't think I would've been able to bolt everything up without noticing some binding. I also spun the engine a few times to make sure it spun freely and it did. What did I do wrong? oh and I did switch the starters.

 

Dont the auto cars and the manual cars use different flywheels?
Dan

 

Yea, I had to put a flexplate on there and the ring gear is on the torque converter. So that is why I had to swap starters.

 

k, good,, are you sure they gave you the correct starter?
Dan

 

I'm not sure Dan. The guy owns his own mustang parts store and he seems knowledgeable. Does it sound like a starter problem to you???

 

Just trying to troubleshoot from afar,,, when all is not right, I always question if the parts are absolutely correct, even if the box they come in says so.
Dan

 

Since I have never done a manual to auto trans swap on a Ford, does the pilot bearing being left in have a factor?
Dan

 

I took the pilot bearing out because the converter has that knob on it that goes in place of the pilot bearing.

 

the pilot bearing would have prevented me from getting the converter in place to bolt on to the flexplate

 

Sounds like the bendix is sticking, this is a six popper I assume with the ring gear being on the convertor. You had all the parts, spacer plate between engine and flywheel, possibly need a starter shim, might be engaging to far in the teeth of the ring gear and sticking?

 

Ahh, okay,, I know nuttin bout automatics.
Dan

 

Could be a faulty starter drive not dis-engaging properly from the ring gear after start up.Take it out and bench test it the gear should pop out and in smoothly if it hangs up,its probably the problem.Doh!! beaten to the punch again!!

 

Yea, I have the plate between the bellhousing and the engine and a dust shield on the bottom half. The plate for the manual that was initially in there was one piece.

I'm hoping it's just the starter. I mean, I put my breaker bar to the front of the engine and spun it freely with no binding or anything. And when I first tried starting the engine, it didn't sound like it was engaging properly and then when it fired up it made that loud noise.

 

With the engine running disconnect the wire from the solenoid to the starter. If the whine stops then the starter is remaining energized after the switch is back to the "RUN" position. You can check the solenoid with a volt meter. With the red lead on the battery side of the solenoid and the black lead on the starter side, you should get battery voltage. If you are getting less than battery voltage then the is a connection between the terminals of the solenoid. Remove the small wires from the solenoid and check the solenoid again. If the voltage goes up to battery volts then you know it is a feedback problem in the wiring. If it stays the same then you know there is a mechanical problem in the solenoid and it needs to be replaced.
If the solenoid checks out to show battery volts or the noise continues after you disconnect the wire from the solenoid to the starter then you know that you have a mechanical problem in the starter.
It could be the wrong ring gear for that bellhousing, the wrong starter drive or the fan hitting the shroud just kidding. I can't see or hear it from here but with a bit more information we might discover the cause.

 

Excellent post PaulS. I'm too afraid to keep the engine running while I disconnect the starter. The noise sounds very damaging.

When I had the manual in, there was no problems with the starter or any of the wiring. I'm really hoping the guy gave me the wrong starter. You don't think it could be anything else other than the something with the starter do you?