HELP! Starter spins but doesn't engage the flywheel!

OK .. just measured ... the ring gear on my 302 is sitting atleast 1/2 inch further from the center of the starter opening than the 6 cylinder. I'd say the starter gear is completely missing the flywheel ...

Would a different model car have a larger gear on the starter?

Just hooked some jumpers to the starter ... The gear is definitely moving forward and should engage.

 

Guess if a different starter would be tried, my first thought would be something from a 351 windsor powered truck? You could spend some time at a parts store measuring. It is these nagging little problems that really make you pull your hair out. Happens to all of us. If it were easy, anyone could do it.
Dan

 

did you pull out a 200 or a 250 if it was a 250 it should be the same

 

Nah was a 200 ..

If anyone has a 302 or 250 with the starter out and could measure the distance from the flywheel teeth to the opposite side of the starter hole I would really appreciate it! Mine is exactly 3 inches ...

 

Measurement ..

I just measured the start ... with a 3 inch gap the gear IS completely missing the flywheel. The gap NEEDS to be 2 1/2 inches .... So now I need a Starter with with a 1 inch larger diamater gear ...

 

the difference in the small and the large bell housing is not a lot. one is a 10 1/2 " bolt pattern and the other is 11 7/16" so the difference is less than 1 "or less than a 1/2" on each side. they both bolt up to the same holes. same with the 157 and the 164 flexplates. i assume you are using a flexplate and not a flywheel. if you have the 157 tooth flexplate and need the 164 tooth then you will also need to change the torque convertor.

 

are you sure its the starter the starter that was on my 250 worked on a 82 ltd with a 302 and AOD tranny (164 tooth flexplate) I`m using the same starter with the same 302 with a 157 tooth flexplate and the bellhousing off the 250

 

don graham, couldn`t he just change the bellhousing ?

 

dan, if this is the case there are 2 options that i know of; 1. get small bellhousing and spacer plate. 2. get 164 flexplate and new torque convertor. #1 is the cheapest way to go, but you've got to find one, sometimes on ebay. maybe someone knows which cars had the smaller bellhousing.

 

The Bellhousing part is: C5AA-6394-B

According to this site:

http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/bellhousingidchart.htm


It is for a 69-73 302 engine ...


FYI .. it is a stick shift car .. not an automatic.

 

that was going to be my next question. i'm sorry i was thinking you were using an automatic. don't worry i'll slap myself three times for you.:confused:

 

dan, i was just looking in my summit catalog and i see that there still is a 157 tooth and a 164 tooth flywheel for the standard trans. good luck

 

Thanks ...

Just tried a 95 Mustang Starter and even though it comes little closter it still doesn't engage ...

 

Oh well ... Looks like I gotta replace the flywheel. Somewhat major setback ... but, live and learn.

So ... What are the chances of me dropping the tranny and bellhousing without removing the headers??

Removing and headers and clutch linkage and then reinstalling them would make bad sucky situation a whole lot suckier!

Now I just gotta decide to go with the 164 or 157 tooth flywheel. Ford Manual calls for a 157 in a 302 Maverick and a 164 in a 68 Mustang that the engine is out of ...

Not sure if it matters as long as the flywheel diameter is 14" - which I figure will line up the starter properly ....

 

Dan, I have removed my trans, bellhousing many times. It is a pain. Now anytime I need to do something like that, I just pull the engine and trans together out the top. If you have a hoist it would not be as bad.
Dan