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Starter motor teeth wearing out

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Paulco

Starter motor teeth wearing out

Hello

I keep having the same issue about every 6 to 9 months. I am on my 3rd Starter motor and they all have the same issue. Eventually the starter motor just spins and does not connect to the fly wheel, I can usually turn the engine manually and get a connection but even that after a while stops working.

The truck is 1981 F150 4x4 302 V8 short bed with automatic transmission. This is the info I use when ordering a starter motor but maybe I am missing something.

When I look at the starter motors I see the front of the teeth are worn as if the whole gear cog on the starter does not engage the flywheel fully.

The battery and solenoid are about 2 years old.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Paul

1982 Ford F-150 XL 4x4 Short Bed with 302 V8

ratdude747

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Two questions:

1. What condition is the flexplate in? The teeth on mine were pretty chewed up... while I had my engine out I replaced it.

2. You're on the stock type of starter... that is, a one wire (moving pole) starter, not a PMGR with a separate solenoid wire?

The original Moving-pole type starters can be rough on starter teeth as the motor spins while the gear is slid into place (or so I've read). The PMGR of the 1990's fixed this among other improvements (faster cranking, less battery demand, etc.)... one reason why it's a common swap (other than replacing the starter for the newer unit, all one does is move the existing starter cable to battery hot, and add a 12 gauge wire from the solenoid output to the motor's solenoid).

1984 F150: 300 L6, AOD, RWD. EEC IV / TFI, Feedback Carter YFA Carb. Stock everything but radio (for now).

Paulco

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Not sure about the condition of the flex plate. The starter motor is the stock type with a moving pole, where can I purchase a PMGR?
I assume there is a specific model for my truck.

1982 Ford F-150 XL 4x4 Short Bed with 302 V8

85lebaront2

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Administrator

Get one for a 1990 Lincoln Town Car 5.0L.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

ratdude747

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

In reply to this post by Paulco

Any 1990+ 5.0 or 4.9 Automatic will do. The one I installed on my 4.9 came off a 1994 5.0 F150 (If I remember the eBay listing correct).

1984 F150: 300 L6, AOD, RWD. EEC IV / TFI, Feedback Carter YFA Carb. Stock everything but radio (for now).

RenoHuskerDu

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

In reply to this post by Paulco

I'm not young anymore and I always wondered when I'd see those teeth worn out. Only seen a couple, on parts trucks.

Good to know of a fix

Reno in Central Texas, 86 F250 XLT Lariat eclb 2wd 6.9, plus 2 Bricknoses, 1 Aeronose that's getting a Bullnose front clip, and parts trucks. Busy lads, father and sons wrenchers.

Paulco

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Is the wiring set up the same for these starters?

1982 Ford F-150 XL 4x4 Short Bed with 302 V8

Gary Lewis

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Administrator

Not quite. Go to Documentation/Electrical/PMGR Starter Wiring for the minor change that is needed.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Paulco

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Thanks, I reviewed the wiring. Below is a picture of the starter I purchased, do you know how the black wire in the picture should be connected?

The orange label says 'DO NOT REMOVE, attach to existing lead'.

1982 Ford F-150 XL 4x4 Short Bed with 302 V8

ratdude747

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

That appears to be the solenoid wire... that's where the "new" wire is supposed to connect. IMO it's best to pitch that pigtail.

1984 F150: 300 L6, AOD, RWD. EEC IV / TFI, Feedback Carter YFA Carb. Stock everything but radio (for now).

Paulco

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Installed the new starter using the instructions in the electrical section. What a difference the PMGR starter makes, my truck starts up a lot quicker to the point where once its warm I have to be quick to turn key back.

Thanks to those who helped.

Paul

1982 Ford F-150 XL 4x4 Short Bed with 302 V8

grumpin

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

That’s great!

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

Gary Lewis

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Administrator

In reply to this post by Paulco

Excellent!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Machspeed

Re: Starter motor teeth wearing out

Administrator

In reply to this post by Paulco

Paul, added the PMGR starter to mine a few weeks back and it's a wonderful difference. That little sucker turns the engine over much faster. Curious, did you get your starter at Autozone? That pigtail looks exactly like the one that was on mine.

John

"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner