Starter won't engage on T5 to C4 install.
 

Man I really thought I was done with this whole job and when I turned the key the only thing I heard was my starter zinging. My car was originally a T5. I bought the correct flexplate from Summit and thought I could re-use my old starter. Guess not. So does anyone know what starter I need to use?

Are you sure you got the right bellhousing? There are at least two different small block bellhousings for C-4.

I know this because we have 3 bh's that don't fit. 157, 164, 666 teeth. I'm sure someone has the dimensions handy.

I can't get back in the shop to measure until tues.

Mike

You are going to have to get a different starter. The nose on the starter for an automatic and standard are different.
The nose is slightly longer for the automatic.

I talked to 2 local parts stores and according to them the starters for 5 speed and automatic are the same p/n. I thought they were different too. Anyhow, I guess the next step is going to be trying to see why my starter isn't grabbing the flywheel. If it's physically in the wrong spot I guess the engines coming back out. This is getting depressing.

I could have sworn they were different. You might want to search online for more info on that before you rip it all apart again.

ALL V8 Mustang starters, from 1979 through 1992, are the same. They all have 9 teeth on the pinion gear, and are only to be used with the 157 tooth ring gear used on the OE C4/C5 & AOD flexplates and on SROD and T5 flywheels. The snout is the same size, shape, and length. They are all the same. Some OE non-Mustang V8 starters have longer snouts.

The '92-'93 starter is different, and requires slight mods to fit an older set-up.

If you are positive that your ring gear has 157 teeth, then your starter is wrong. Have them pull out another one, and compare them side by side. If they are the same, then your flexplate is wrong.

Take care,
~Chris

I double checked my flexplate for 157 tooth count before I installed it so I know that's ok. The starter is the one I had on the car for years when it was a T5.

What I did do was get my wife to try starting the car while I got underneath and looked up through the inspection cover and sure enough the starter is positioned out away from the flexplate to far for proper engagement. So I've got the wrong bellhousing, right?

Well I guess there could be a SLIGHT possibility that you could've damaged the ole' starter in the swap process, and now even though its spinning, it may not be pushing the gear out to engage with the flywheel.
If you pull it out, then test it right quick to make sure its throwing the gear out.

Yup.

Take care,
~Chris

Thanks for all the help guys. I guess I know what I'm doing next weekend.

Believe me, it's a lot more fun for me when I can say "you just need to turn it around and it will work!", rather than "pull the tranny".

Sorry.

You didn't have any plans anyway, right?

;)

Take care,
~Chris

Oh yeah, I think I nailed this one in the first post. I leave for a while and no one believes me anymore. :D



Hey Chris,
POW/MIA .... gone but not forgotten.

This is why we remove our headgear when sitting down to eat. Out of respect.


Mike

hehehe, hey, I've been ignored by the best and the worst of them. I hear ya.

Good call.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

Get the starter off a late model truck with the 351W. The bendix is the correct size for what you need. You can swap just the bendix or the entire starter, either way it will solve your problem.

That's excellent info! I'm going to write that one down!

:)

Take care,
~Chris