Baxter
How many different starters did they use for the amc bolt pattern 400 and the 360. Having soe problems getting enough teeth ingagement between the flywheel and starter on a truck.I'm talking left to right.Did they make different count flywheels and starters.
tufcj
Are the trans locating dowels in place and the flat plate on the back of the block? Is the flywheel OE or aftermarket? Those are the only 3 things that affect starter alignment.
There were only 2 starters. The Ford style used pre-1987(?), and one that looks like a mini starter used after Chrysler took over from 1988 up. They both bolted on the same but use a different flywheel.
Bob
tufcj
Baxter
I've went threw two starters know and no luck.The crapper is that I've had this same set up working before and it was fine.I put it all back together with the exception of a new starter and the gears don't mesh up right. It's like the starter is to far away from the flywheel.There is no way to make it closer unless the manufacturer is screwing somthing up?I give up you tell me.
AMX69PHATTY
What about which way the flywheel was bolted to the crank ?
Cupped side torwards the front or towards the back ?
How many teeth are on the starter motor gear(s) 9 or 11 ?
What kind of starter ? the stock Ford type ? or aftermarket ?
jeepsr4ever
If this is a th400 setup and it use the cat iron adaptor ring they have VERY specific flexplates.
Baxter
The tranny bell housing bolts sraight to the motor no cast iron adapter just the .090 shim that goes between them. The starter is stock type with 9 teeth.How many teeth is it supposed to have on it? It would make since if it is supposed to have 11 because the gear would be bigger around and then would be closer to the flywheel.
jeepsr4ever
That .090 shim doesnt go between them it goes on the outside so the bolts dont dig into the flexplate. This might be part of the problem.
AMX69PHATTY
Understanding is that 9 is the correct starter gear tooth count.
Baxter
Will the 11 tooth starter bolt to this same set up and are we talking about the post 87 starter.
jeepsr4ever
Their are some Chinese flexplates that wont work but are sold as OEM AMC replacements. Did you replace the flexplate?
Baxter
The thing that makes me think it's my starter manufacturer is this set up work before. Same tranny ,motor, flexplate other than the starter.since then i've put two starters on from the same manufacturer and I get nothing but grinding.It's definately the offset left to right is the problem, not front to back.It makes since that you say the flex plate is chinese but this has all worked in the past.It got kept in the corner of the garage for a few years now it won't work.The original starter has left the building and this is where the problem started.I was planning on a trip south this weekend and I can't get it to turn the motor over to get it ready.Has anyone seen the starter offset bad like this I'll start buying a starter from somewhere else but it's money down the drain like the other 2 have been.
jeepsr4ever
Baxter I have a newer starter here from a 258 out of a YJ you can have that may have the later style spacing. You will need to cover shipping and the condition is unknown. We will try to get you on the road! :t:
Baxter
I think I'm going to a junk yard tomarrow with a bunch of jeep stuff in it.I have a buddy with good connections to this place so I won't have much in it.I'll keep you guys posted ,thanks.
AMX69PHATTY
Am not aware if the post '87 starter is an 11 tooth or not.
Was just guessing cause a mini-starter I bought was having the same problem,
ended up being fitted with the wrong 11 tooth gear, and worked fine once replaced with a 9 tooth.
Maybe MC can say if the post '87 starter is an 11 tooth gear.
Hope it get's worked out in time for the trip.
Baxter
It did end up being the starter remanufacturer.I finally got mad and went to a different store and bought the same starter turning my last brand new one in on a core charge.If it wasn't for that core charge I think it would have ended up in the front window of the other store. Thanks for all the info guys.
junkyard jim
Rebuilders keep trying to pass off Ford starters and Ford starter drives as the right ones for AMC (too short).
