starter for auto vs manuel

[pritch1958]

does anyone know if its a different starter for an automatic vs. a manual transmission on a 385 series. I haven't found any different part numbers online. I went from a C6 to a toploader and discovered on the first crank that the flywheel continues to touch the starter gear just enough to want to spin it and grind on the tip a little. I took the starter off and massaged the end of the cog down enough to remove the damage. I haven't put it back on yet, maybe I need a spacer?

[fordman]

on fe's there isnt a different starter for auto vs manual if i remember right. what there is though is a starter plate. and if that plate gets worn it can let the starter move around some and grind on the flywheel. other possiblities are the trans and flywheel combo. having the wrong ones mated together can be bad. thats all i can talk about. soemone who knows more about your exact setup will probably post.

[michael69]

You may have to use shims to get it farther away from flywheel.

[pritch1958]

thank you fordman. Its taking me all winter but I'm real close to finishing the swap to the 4 speed. You probably don't remember but you sold me the clutch pedal assembly last fall when I started. I need to get the driveshaft lengthen about 4 inches and then look out!

[fordman]

i remember that. i dont remember everyone or everything but i do remember that. what flywheel and belhousing ar eyo uusing. i have read soemwhere that yo uhave to use the matching bell and flywheel on a 460 enige. i don't know if that includes the 351m 400 bell or not.

[pritch1958]

I can almost hear you saying "Ahhh Ha". Here's a picture of my parts before the install. I must have the flywheel already on the truck cause I don't see it with these parts. I ordered the tranny, bellhousing, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, bearings and bolts from David Kee down in San Antonio. Everything fit well together, but on the bellhousing I did have to grind down the outside edge on the starter support ring for right side header clearance. The loop was just too fat so I "trimmed" it just enough to match the starter contour. It's still a close fit.