Need new h.o. starter

[panteramatt]

So I installed a new high output mini starter from DB Electrics. It's terrible. It starts the motor great but when it gets warm it hardly turns over. I've put header wrap on AMD a starter blanket AMD nothing. Which ones are you guys running?

 

[JSBX]

I have one on my 74 with headers that I got from Toms. Been on about 7 years with no problems.

 

[gr8scott]

Been running this one from WH since 2011 without issues.

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

So when the motor is warm it turns slowly? What's your timing set to?

 

[bronconut73]

I just went to Auto Zone for a stock Ford PMGR mini starter.
Good stuff. Good upgrade.
Been about 5 or 6 years.

I have unwrapped, uncoated headers.

 

[Crush]

Use a stock ford mini stater for a mustang. U will not regret it

 

[DirtDonk]

DB Electrics stuff actually has a pretty good reputation I thought.
While it might be the starter (did you call them and ask about it by the way?), it might also be the other things like gr8scott was saying.
What is your base timing set at, and how is your vacuum advance connected?
And what size and condition are your battery and starter cables? Even though the new starters take fewer amps to turn, an old tired, or undersized battery cable, or poor ground can have the same effect.

And speaking of which, where is your ground cable connected?

Guessing this was not a problem previously though? If not, then yeah, probably something with the starter.
Unfortunately though, these Broncos of ours just love to throw "coincidental problems" at us. We'll change one thing, and two others crap out at the same time!

Good luck.

Paul

 

[panteramatt]

Ok, I never touched the motor before replacing this starter. The old starter had no issues I just wanted an upgrade. It turns over GREAT until the motor get warmed up then if i restart it struggles BIG time. Its embarassing when getting gas and sometimes i dont think its gonna start at all. Battery cables and grounds all new

 

[panteramatt]

What year starter do I look for and what vehicles had them? I have a 74 C4

 

[panteramatt]

Advance has a carquest brand new I can get for $110 with warrenty. I can get a PA performance one for $140. Which one should I go for? Do PA build theirs and would they be superior?

 

[Slednut10]

On sale now at JBG for $69
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Auto-Trans-Mini-Starter-SALE/productinfo/18620/

Been running the manual transmission one in mine since 2013

 

[Timmy390]

I ran the stock manual 3 speed starter for 20 years with long tube headers and never had an issue. I did replace it once during that time but that was more my fault. AZ Duralast brand......I abused it with starting issues (carb related) for years.

I now run the same stater on my 351W with BH shorty headers.

I know you said all the grounds were replaced BUT were the connection areas cleaned? What grounds do you have? Battery to? Engine to? Starter to?

I run Battery to Frame, Engine to frame, starter to frame (ground on the mounting bolt) . How's the battery and alternator as in how old?

I'm not a fan of mini starters. Run one (Torque master as I recall) on my Mach 1 390FE and hate it. If I didn't have to drop the headers to replace it, it would already be in the trash. On that note, it's a really tight fit and nothing is wrapped. I've never had a heat soak issue with the starter or the factory one......

Tim

 

[panteramatt]

Why dont you like mini starters tim?

 

[panteramatt]

On sale now at JBG for $69
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Auto-Trans-Mini-Starter-SALE/productinfo/18620/

Been running the manual transmission one in mine since 2013

I wonder how these are? Are they just cheap chinese junk?

 

[DirtDonk]

Well, probably. But to be fair, the ones we sell are "cheap Chinese junk" too as far as I know. But they also happen to be pretty reliable versions so far.
The "good Chinese junk" is actually out there. You just have to be lucky enough to find it!

Looks like gr8scott (and many others) have been using ours for quite some time without trouble. And while I'm pretty sure we've had some returns, they are a very low percentage from what I can tell.
And sometimes still for the manual-vs-automatic issue even though it's specified in the part info.
Looks like Slednut has had good luck with his JBG unit too.

For your application, if you want one locally I would get one from a '94 F150 with 5.0/5.8 and an automatic transmission.

Paul

 

[Timmy390]

Why dont you like mini starters tim?

My Fox body mustang had a factory mini as I recall and it was fine. My dislike is for the aftermarket one I have. It's a high torque and low speed. I've always had faster starting with stock ones that seem to spin faster. My 390FE is a hard start cold or hot......

If I was going to go mini I would use the stock ford mini. The issue is you will more than likely get a rebuilt one from the local parts store and it's hit and miss. I base this off my experience with alt's. Have to buy 3 to get a good one.....

Tim

 

[Joe473]

My Fox body mustang had a factory mini as I recall and it was fine. My dislike is for the aftermarket one I have. It's a high torque and low speed. I've always had faster starting with stock ones that seem to spin faster. My 390FE is a hard start cold or hot......

If I was going to go mini I would use the stock ford mini. The issue is you will more than likely get a rebuilt one from the local parts store and it's hit and miss. I base this off my experience with alt's. Have to buy 3 to get a good one.....

Tim

The ones from bronco vendors are brand new not rebuilt that is a plus. If I was closer and shippi g didn't hurt I would have bought one. For my truck I got a brand new Bosch unit off rock auto. Like paul said, 95 f150 specify manual or auto. Not sure if there is any difference on the mustang Bell housing and flywheel

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[brewchief]

I wonder how these are? Are they just cheap chinese junk?

I have one from JBG as well, no issues, it will crank slightly slower when hot but I think I traced most of that to a loose cable. FWIW the starters that JBG sells are from a company called Motor City Reman, despite the name the starters are all new parts.

 

[DirtDonk]

...Not sure if there is any difference on the mustang Bell housing and flywheel.

There is some kind of difference that makes the Mustang different from the trucks. But I have no idea what it is and have not tried to do any research on the matter.
But if you use the Mustang as your donor, you'd better have the right type of transmission!

From '79 to the end of the 5.0 run in '95, Ford used the same starter for autos as for manuals. There were three different starters over the years, two of which were the old style and one was the newer #3205 PMGR style from '92 to '95 only.
This is why you use a truck as your donor application. So you can choose between an auto starter and a manual starter.

Paul

 

[sykanr0ng]

There is some kind of difference that makes the Mustang different from the trucks. But I have no idea what it is and have not tried to do any research on the matter.
But if you use the Mustang as your donor, you'd better have the right type of transmission!

From '79 to the end of the 5.0 run in '95, Ford used the same starter for autos as for manuals. There were three different starters over the years, two of which were the old style and one was the newer #3205 PMGR style from '92 to '95 only.
This is why you use a truck as your donor application. So you can choose between an auto starter and a manual starter.

Paul

IIRC the T5 manual Mustang transmission from those years uses the automatic transmission starter, and it is the only one that does.

My opinion I would rather go to the junkyard and get a used OEM Ford starter than a new parts store mystery starter.

 

[panteramatt]

So should I get a new motorcraft or bosch? I wanna stay away from the chinese junk. Their both $100 and come with a 2 year warranty.