Mini Starter - 5.0 vs 302 ?

[hyghlndr]

I have a Bronco with a 1990s Ford 5.0 motor with stock c4 transmission. Will it use a stock style starter originally for a 1977 302? Any recommendations for a good mini starter, was looking at DB Electrical but not sure on exact part number?

 

[toddz69]

It can use either a stock style starter or a mini starter.

This is one that I use on my Bronco:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=978812&cc=1134043&pt=4152&jsn=476&jsn=476

Todd Z.

 

[BroncoJimbo]

I installed the gear reduction starter JBG sells on my 351W in the Bronco and the 5.0 in my Mustang years ago. Both are still going strong. It's a great modification.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The short answer, the starter matches the bellhousing. If you have an automatic, you need a starter for an automatic. If a manual, a starter for a manual (*outlier is the fox body mustang with the T5 manual).
After that they interchange. From '66 to '01 the automatic starters will all interchange, although some wiring differences exist when they go to the mini with the solenoid on the starter. The 5.0 is just the metric name given to the 302 in the push to metricize America.

All that mirrors what Todd and Jimbo stated above as well.

 

[nvrstuk]

...and to complicate this I have 7 starters on my floor (although one is for a manual).

6 auto starters from '73 to a '96 including two mini starters and it's beyond annoying & frustrating to see how many differences there are between them all.

Anyway, without trying to post up everything about each one let me say that 4 of them fit and actually turn the engine over w/o inflicting damage but the others don't.

Find one that fits and when it eventually fails replace with the same yr & model.

Why Ford can't even begin to build something right the first time & then keep doing it amazes me (& a million other hot rod builders).

 

[nvrstuk]

It can use either a stock style starter or a mini starter.

This is one that I use on my Bronco:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=978812&cc=1134043&pt=4152&jsn=476&jsn=476

Todd Z.

Todd- '96 up 5.0 Exploder w/4r??

 

[ba123]

you guys are making it too complicated...

I got the Powermaster 9603, like I posted on another thread...pretty sure it works with whatever SBF unless your flexplate depth is 3/8" and then you'd need the 9604. As it shows below, all A/T, or M/T with 157., the 9603. Although,

Although, the one Todd posted is less...but this one lets you clock it where you want.

 

[nvrstuk]

Yeah, all I wanted was to let those buying stock starters to know, like bowsher did- that not all Ford starters are created equal.

I try to not buy one off custom "consumables" unless absolutely necessary.

I know, I know... nothing left stock on my rig but my starter is a stocked OE item!
lol

Whatever you buy- buy quality. Remember that an extra $50 up frt for a starter that will last 15-20 yrs is SO worth it compared to the inconvenience of not being able to jump start or dump the clutch (not with an auto) so...

 

[ba123]

Yeah, all I wanted was to let those buying stock starters to know, like bowsher did- that not all Ford starters are created equal.

I try to not buy one off custom "consumables" unless absolutely necessary.

I know, I know... nothing left stock on my rig but my starter is a stocked OE item!
lol

Whatever you buy- buy quality. Remember that an extra $50 up frt for a starter that will last 15-20 yrs is SO worth it compared to the inconvenience of not being able to jump start or dump the clutch (not with an auto) so...

Yeah I prob have a couple stock ones lying around and I’m sure they work but I didn’t want to go that route for this and title says “mini starter”.

And totally agree…saving money is great up until the time the starter you saved money on starter doesn’t work. When I was young I would just use whatever. Then one day, one of those “whatever” starters didn’t work. It was raining. That sucked.

 

[nvrstuk]

Yeah I prob have a couple stock ones lying around and I’m sure they work but I didn’t want to go that route for this and title says “mini starter”.

And totally agree…saving money is great up until the time the starter you saved money on starter doesn’t work. When I was young I would just use whatever. Then one day, one of those “whatever” starters didn’t work. It was raining. That sucked.

Hahaha... yeah, I think we've all been there!!

 

[toddz69]

Todd- '96 up 5.0 Exploder w/4r??

I think that application works as well. I looked up a Mustang application for the one I listed.

Todd Z.

 

[hyghlndr]

Thanks all. I recently had another one and it was grinding the flywheel, went back to stock on it. Figured I would double check this time. Ordered the one Todd linked.

 

[nvrstuk]

Many of the 5,0 Mustangs do not fit... Ford as always, does/did some weird stuff and had a few starters that fit auto & manual for a while- the parts manuals at the parts stores only list one starter. The Mustang ones (5.0 mini-starters) I tried that didn't fit on my "non-typical" application looked close but pretty much just slammed into the flexplate.

 

[ba123]

Weird…yeah, mine is a Mustang 5.0 block.

 

[jamesroney]

Weird…yeah, mine is a Mustang 5.0 block.

This discussion might want to include block separator plates.

The 3/4 deep starter uses a 4.130 index hole.
The 3/8 deep starter uses a 4.080 index hole.

If you get them mixed up by using the wrong block plate, then things start bumping into each other. It almost never happens, because the manual transmission separator plate doesn't have an access cover...so you can't use it with a torque converter. But when you start adapting things...you need to check.

The big starter won't fit in the small hole. But the small starter will move around in the big hole. Then things start bumping into each other.

Since 1965, the 289, 302, and all 5.0's use the same bell pattern. Your 5.0 Mustang "block" is 100% compatible.

 

[bronco italiano]

It can use either a stock style starter or a mini starter.

This is one that I use on my Bronco:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=978812&cc=1134043&pt=4152&jsn=476&jsn=476

Todd Z.

Todd does that starter fit manual trans flywheel?

 

[toddz69]

Todd does that starter fit manual trans flywheel?

No, mine is for an automatic.

Todd Z.

 

[73azbronco]

I used a mini starter off a ford pickup late 90s i think, manual for mine. I shredded the way overpriced mean green one second start.

 

[ba123]

The powermaster I posted above will work—there are two versions. I can’t say anything about it yet. I’m close to getting to try it but not quite there yet.

 

[ba123]

Although I can say, clocked how I wanted it, the bottom bolt was a real pain.

I have some nice 12 point arp shiny never used starter bolts for sale…I had to go 6 point so I could use an open end wrench.

Although might not be worth it to send them so maybe not.