Mean Green starter seized on third start.

[73azbronco]

Not the battery, 13.7 volts, not the wires, cause it worked fine 2 times. Didn't burn it up on first two because motor started in about 1 second each time.

Pulled starter, set it on ground, hooked up charger and hit it with 40 amps, starter gear pawl pops out, no turning.

I need your opinion on starter gear condition, it does look used but not to bad and flywheel teeth look OK as well. I know seizing is probably not related to gear and flywheel tolerance, it just seized, and after sitting for 5 years all alone it just died.

I have 1/4 exactly from face of starter mount to flywheel. From starter motor face to gear end is 1/32nd less than that, so it should clear fine.

Tried to source a starter at autozone and NAPA, fail. No one has a manual 302/5.0 starter. YGBKM....

I have also sourced an adapter from summit that allows you to use an automatic starter on a manual tranny flywheel

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SDM-PCE392-1001

Any questions why I'm on year 12 of a 6 month rebuild?

 

[BUCKWILD]

is it new as in that is the first three times it has ever been used or had it been used befor just sat for 5 years

 

[MarsChariot]

I have not had that much success with Mean Green. Kind of like Optima batteries. They started out nice but went downhill. If you are lucky you get a good one. If not lucky, then great sadness. Go to Autozone and get a F150 1995 or there abouts starter and be done.

 

[DirtDonk]

Hmm, I've got one sitting on my shelf waiting (and waiting, and waiting) too. I had not heard anything bad from my end, but I'm not there every day on the phones either, so I suppose it could have got passed me.

Sorry to hear you're having trouble with yours 73. Did you get it from us?
How did it act the first two starts?

And rats the luck, how did you manage to not find a regular starter!
Are you sure you were asking the right questions? Seems like everybody should have had a replacement.
But then I don't know squat. I'm still tryin' to figure out YGBKM!

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

I figured he was using a battery charger on "START" mode. But not sure that will give you what you need either.
However, I would think it still has enough juice to spin a starter sitting on the ground.

If you were using a charger 73az, maybe try jumper cables on another known good battery, just to be sure?

Paul

 

[73azbronco]

Battery is optima red, I have the optima charger, says it's 100% good, but, i pulled battery and drug it down to autozone and they say the battery is perfect, it's only 3 months old.

Starter has been in motor for years, never used, I think 5 yrs, but bought from WH with NV4500 kit maybe 8-9 years ago. yeah, long long ago. I think it's a WH nv4500 might be BC, cant remember.

Just odd it worked fine twice, sounded fine, then click, buzz.

I had a sinking feeling, you know, like did i really prelube enough, is the motor seized up. Pulled dizzy, spun pump, 60 psi instantly and I can shiny oil crankshaft so I know its oiled up fine. Breaker bar on crank pulley, turns fine.

40 amps, yeah I have a really nice nAPA battery charger, big one on wheels, on sale, I can set it wherever I need. Just, not for use with the optima. Hence unbelievably expensive optima charger to go with battery.

Back to question: anyone seeing issue with gear/flywheel ring? Just want to get that issue gone, calling WH and mean green in AM fro replacement, but will try the f150, i was using 84 and 94 mustangs 302 and 5.0 manual, all only had auto starter/



YGBKM you gotta be kidding me, or my favorite YGBFSM you can figure that one out.

 

[73azbronco]

I have not had that much success with Mean Green. Kind of like Optima batteries. They started out nice but went downhill. If you are lucky you get a good one. If not lucky, then great sadness. Go to Autozone and get a F150 1995 or there abouts starter and be done.

Boom that worked, 95 f150 5.0 (new)


https://www.autozone.com/batteries-...arter&fromString=search&isIgnoreVehicle=false


And it goes on, not one store has one in AZ, all 4 days shipping away....

Found this, powermaster anyone??

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9404/make/ford

 

[gr8scott]

Dang, I feel for you az. Serp belt alignment issues, Dakota Digital problem, and now your starter. Sucks that none of your parts stores had on in stock.
I've been using this one from WH since 2011, still going strong.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Gear_Reduction_Starter/Bronco_Starters

 

[73azbronco]

My only fear on that is header clearance, need a mini starter I think, but that might be small enough. I did not have to clock the mean green away from stock build.

Even OEM Ford:

This part may take up to 15 days to fulfill

And is only available reman, not new.

Think I found one autozone but 90 minute drive time. Beats 15 days.

 

[bronkenn]

I'm still tryin' to figure out YGBKM!

Paul

You Got To Be Kidding Me!!!

I have the Powermaster on mine and worked well all last year and started up fine this spring. Went to start it again and just a loud clunk. Sounds like the starter is engaging but not turning. Haven't got into it yet but sounds like it is doing the same as 73az's.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah, the Mustang as it turns out is the absolute wrong application to search starter swaps for!
Even though available both in auto and manual models, the Mustang only used one single starter for both somehow. One of the only, if not the only model Ford during this period to do that.
As with many things, the trucks and Broncos are the go-to for flywheels, flexplates, and as it turns out, starters.

Glad you found one. Hope it cures the issue.
Sorry you're now having the same or similar issue bronkenn. Powermaster also generally has a very good reputation.
And also, if the patient's haven't taken over the asylum, they have a good warranty program. The owner was a stickler for pretty much no questions asked (unless it was obviously something stupid like installing it with a hammer!) but I'd heard also that while he wasn't looking the bean counters kept trying to get out of replacing things without a fight.
Hopefully he's still running the show.

Paul

 

[jckkys]

The Mean Green is a Denso starter like the PowerMasters, but with a different mount. Tucson Alternator sells and rebuilds them. I'm sure they can diagnose your problem. They're at 1401 E. 20th just west of Kino. I don't know what city your in but the Phx. area has to have similar shops.

 

[Qumanchew]

I'd pull that puppy apart. There's not a lot to them. It's out of warranty, so nothing to lose. Might be corroded contacts or something from sitting.

 

[73azbronco]

Yeah I am getting ready to test the 95 f150 starter.

The mean green solenoid section, appears slightly twised, that might be the problem with no crank, I'll open it to see or just send it back fro repair and have a spare.

 

[Slednut10]

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Manual-Trans-Mini-Starter-SALE/productinfo/18625/

$69 at JBG

 

[73azbronco]

Yep thats it, but it's 6 days away by mail, I needed it now, $169 today.

 

[Jfryjfry]

I just got mine (for a c4) at Autozone. For a 93 mustang. They had several, new and rebuilt. I’m surprised not they or Napa or any other auto parts store near you doesn’t have it in stock. They fit a bunch of fords.

 

[DirtDonk]

That's fine for yours Jfryjfry because you have an automatic. The Mustang starter is for autos only when used with a Bronco. With the manual trans being used here it would be the wrong starter.

Paul

 

[73azbronco]

Yep, manual makes all the difference.

Well, the 95 F150 starter for manual is the bomb. Works perfect, now setting base timing and test drive ish.

BTW for anyone using explorer front dress with Sag P/S mod mount from WH on driver side, use a 2225 belt, not a 2210. Way to short for my setup although my alt pulley may be a touch bigger.

Lastly, to solve this auto manual problem, you cna get an auto starter anywhere for cheap, the manuals are hard to find.

So, Summit sells an auto to manual adapter, an aluminum ring spacer to use an automatic starter with a manual tranny flywheel. $14.