Starter Ate Flywheel Teeth

[lcarter3177]

Everything has been running great until now. Today I turned on the ignition, got a horrible grinding noise. Removed the starter thinking it would be an easy replacement. However, once the starter was removed, I could see some of the flywheel teeth had been eaten away. How bad is this gonna be??? What are the steps to replace the flywheel or is there a method to fixing this without replacing the flywheel? The starter was replaced about six months ago. Hopefully it was replaced with a proper fit. The starter is a Napa Power Supreme #44-9628. Thanks out there!!!

 

[gick70]

I had this happen,lucky there is lots of teeth on the flywheel! Lol!

 

[904Bronco]

Flywheel implies that you have a manual trans, vs flex plate for automatic.

The ring gear on the flywheel can be changed after you remove it from the vehicle, flex plate you buy a new one.

 

[sykanr0ng]

If it is a flywheel for a manual transmission, a replacement ring gear is about $15 at an auto parts store.

Grind a slot in the old gear to pop it off.

Heat the ring gear in your oven (cooling the flywheel in the freezer helps), then wear welding gloves or oven mitts and slide the ring gear on.

 

[lcarter3177]

I have an automatic transmission. C4. So it is the flexplate. How do I get that fixed?

 

[Viperwolf1]

I have an automatic transmission. C4. So it is the flexplate. How do I get that fixed?

You just buy a new one. They're only about $40.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Remove the engine or the transmission. Pros and cons to each. Sometimes makes other repairs much easier.
Replace flexplate, put back together.

Some possible snags...
The oddball 164 tooth 10½" bolt circle flexplate. No longer available. Will need a new torque convertor to match the common 11 7/16" bolt circle 164 tooth flexplate.
Don't get a C6/E4OD flexplate, the specs look the same but the offset is wrong.
Engine balance, About '81 the 302 requires a different weight on the flexplate. Late model flexplate on an early engine will shake. It will bolt up, just not be right and you get to change it again.

Now the evil doom and gloom. push and pull the crank pulley and check for excessive endplay. Normally it is only a couple thousandths of an inch. Might feel it but really can't see it. IF the thrust bearing goes out in the engine you will get a lot of endplay. 1/8" up to 1/2". At this point you have an engine problem. The bad endplay allowed the flexplate to move into the starter while running and ate it up. Unlikely, less than 1% chance, but real easy to check and save yourself a lot of frustration later.

 

[lcarter3177]

so this project is most likely above my pay grade. What kind of shop would be best to replace the flexplate and about how much should it cost?

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, sometimes if you are lucky the teeth on the ring gear are not too bad and can be cleaned up with file through the stater hole or the converter access on the bottom of the bell housing. Good luck

 

[Nickm1024cobra]

Back in my younger days I ate some teeth on a flywheel. I didn't have the time or money to replace it at the time. About 1 out of 15 starts it would land in the "bad spot" and I would have to fix it. Kept a 1/2" ratchet with 15/16" socket on it in the passenger seat. Would get out and rotate the engine just slightly and it would fire right up. Somewhat embarrassing at gas stations or out on a date, but it worked like a charm.

 

[TheGanzman]

This is what happens when you just slap the starter in without trying to align it properly, which is what those alignment shims in the bottom of the box are for; 98 guys out of 100 don't bother with 'em. *I* used to be one of 'em as a younger man, but NOW I. Get. IT...%)

 

[rmk57]

Iv'e never heard of a Ford having to use shims on a starter, that's usually a Chevy thing. But then again with most everything made in china these days it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Crush]

As far as i know that shims is chevy only. Bought lots of ford starters and never had one come with shims and the only time I took a starter off that had them is because the dust shield/block plate or whatever everyone calls that plate between the trans and engine was missing