1966 Ford Mustang Starter Grinds

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WOODLY
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  • 1 POST
On this 66 car. The original automatic 289 engine was replaced with a high performance 289. The starter ring gear has 160 teeth. The starter which is for an automatic transmission seems to grind on the ring gear and not engauge fully with the ring gear. We put in a spacer 1/8" which helps but still get a screetch at start up, like the bendix is still hitting the ring gear.

We are on the 2nd bendix as the teeth are also getting ground down on the front edge like they are not fully engauguing with the ring gear. It seems like the teeth on the 2 gears are not meshing correctly...

My question is for a 1966 should the ring gear be 160 or 157 tooth. If it is supposed to be 157 tooth, can we find a bendix to fit the 160 tooth gear we have instead of changing the ring gear.

Many thanks for any direction here.

Woodly
Sep 14, 2006 at 4:56 AM
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NOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 320 POSTS
Question ? did you remember to put the big metal plate back between the engine and the trans if you didn't put that in there pull trans back out that plate has to be in there that is a face plate shim for the starter.never seen a ford starter ever have to be shimed if that plate is in there.NOS
Sep 15, 2006 at 1:55 PM

Suggested Repair

Confirm the large metal plate between the engine and transmission is installed. If it is missing, pull the transmission and reinstall that face-plate shim. Ford starters normally do not need extra shims when the plate is in place.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1966 Ford Mustang with a high-performance 289 and an automatic-transmission starter reports grinding and incomplete engagement with a 160-tooth ring gear, even after adding a 1/8-inch spacer. The Bendix teeth are also being worn. The expert advises checking that the large metal plate between the engine and transmission is installed, because it serves as the starter face-plate shim and Ford starters typically do not need additional shimming when it is present.

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