Difference between manual and automatic starters?

[thegreatjustino]

I've got three small block ford starters in my garage, and I'd like to determine which ones are for manual transmission and which ones are for autos. How do I tell the difference on a loose starter?

 

[chico68]

I believe it is the number of teeth on the gear and/or how far the gear protrudes from the case.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Tooth count is probably the same. Gear protrusion is the way to go. Auto starter pinion is unshrouded by the starter body. Manual pinion is shrouded.

 

[Airmapper]

Everything you want to know, I think:

http://www.bcbroncos.com/ford starters.pdf

 

[thegreatjustino]

Thanks for the link

 

[JWMcCrary]

The starters are actually the same except for the nose piece as described by Viper. You can swap those pieces to make it fit your application, just be careful and don't let the rear piece come off, it can be a pain to get back together.