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By NewPunkRKR - 16 Years Ago
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Ok, so i thought my car was hard starting because of timing issues. Well, i think it was the starter on the way out. Last night it turned for the last time (luckily I was in my driveway). Now all I get is one "click" when I turn the key. Battery is a red top optima and appears OK.
I need to pull the starter to do a final test on it, but I'm sure it's done. I was wondering what starter options are there. Are there better ones to use (either aftermarket for from another year/model), or should I just get a standard replacement. (engine is a '57 312 with FOM/FMX hybrid trans) I want to get one right away because I'm missing quality driving time  !
-John
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By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
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Before pulling the starter, check the battery. Come over here to the shop and I'll show you a whole pallet of batteries that appear ok.
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By Pete 55Tbird - 16 Years Ago
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For a quick check of your battery turn on the headlites and then try to start it. If the battery is bad the lights will fade to dim. If they stay bright its something else. Pete
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By PF Arcand - 16 Years Ago
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John: before you re & re the starter, check all related connections including grounds. And what about the solenoid? Can you put a volt meter on the battery? Changing the starter is a bit of a struggle, so do the prelims first.
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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If you have to get a new starter, I got one of those mini high torque ones from this guy http://www.autoelec.com . Works great, I've had it about two years now, zero problems.
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By NewPunkRKR - 16 Years Ago
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I double checked the battery. Lights are good, radio plays. I can try to start and the lights don't change. I jumped the relay with the battery cable because I know those can go bad. It acted like a short to ground and the starter didn't make any noise. So the "click" when turning the key is only the starter relay. I'm going to pull the starter tomorrow. I'll jump it directly to the battery and see what happens.
- John
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By NewPunkRKR - 16 Years Ago
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Ok so I read somewhere that FE starters work in Y-blocks, is that true? Is there any advantage to using those? Does anyone else have any experience with the units from Auto Elect? - John
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By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
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I've been using a unit from autoelec for the last 4, 5, or maybe more years. I don't really remember when I got it. It's been more reliable than rebuilt stock units - haven't had to replace it almost yearly.
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By Ted - 16 Years Ago
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NewPunkRKR (6/1/2009)
Ok so I read somewhere that FE starters work in Y-blocks, is that true?Here’s a past thread on FE starter interchange. http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic16116-9-1.aspx
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By masterced - 16 Years Ago
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I also have one of the high torque starters from auto elec, its only been in for a little while but its working great so far. I've got a 56 312 with a manual bellhousing and a T5 attached. The starter bolted right into the same holes, and has a rotatable face, so you can have a bit of choice how you mount it. Don't bother trying to use one of the original starter seals though. I grunted and cursed at it for about an hour before I just made my own. If you hold the two side by side you'll see where it binds - the face of the old starter doesn't stretch all the way around like this one:
http://www.autoelec.com/html/ford_y_block_gear_reduction_st.html
You could grind away part of the face, but I chose a custom seal
hope that helps
Ced
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By 56 big window - 16 Years Ago
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I have the original starter in my truck ...272... during a major restoration i had it rebuilt by a reputable local guy I have used before . It works great. Im sure if you look you can find some small shop that does high quality work at an affordable price , plus you will still have the original part that has given great service for so many years . Frank
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By NewPunkRKR - 16 Years Ago
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As a heads up to anyone looking, Auto Elec. is SOLD OUT for a couple weeks. Apparently they have had a large recent increase in demand for the Y. Unfortunately for myself, I need to get the car running ASAP so I ordered a reman. unit from rock auto. I will revisit the high torque unit another day. - John
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By BrianL - 15 Years Ago
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I am interested in the high torque starter mentioned in this string (http://www.autoelec.com/html/y_block_ford_gear_reduction_st.html) & opinions with those who have done the conversion. Price doesn't look too much different then what I see rebuilts going for with the T-Bird suppliers. But the photo looks like at's a two bolt & my impression is my 56 T-Bird 312 is a three bolt design. Is it just a bolt on upgrade? Anything else needed? In the searches, I don't see too much on this topic other then an occasional recommendation. Sounds like removing the original is painful however.
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By charliemccraney - 15 Years Ago
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It is a bolt on. It only uses 2 bolts. I've had one for at least 5 years now. Mine is a daily driver, even during winter, and it works great.
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By BrianL - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks Charlie, your experience with them sounds very positive. I spoke with them today & they are again sold out, but expect to have availability by next Tuesday. Jack says they can't keep 'em in stock.
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By MarkMontereyBay - 15 Years Ago
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I emailed RobbMC Performance. http://www.robbmcperformance.com/ He makes mini-starters and is a regular on the FEForum. I asked about the possibility of a Y Block application. Here is his reply; I don't have the information handy so could someone else have it?
Thanks for writing Mark. We could make a starter nose for the Y block, but the problem is the gear. If memory serves, the Y block uses a 10 pitch ring gear like the early FE engines. I think it has 153 teeth? Our standard pinion gear is a 9 tooth gear, 1" OD. My guess is that the Y block starter has a different number of teeth and/or is larger in diameter.
Can you count the number of teeth on the Y block starter and measure the outside diameter?
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By mctim64 - 15 Years Ago
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56 big window (6/2/2009)
I have the original starter in my truck ...272... during a major restoration i had it rebuilt by a reputable local guy I have used before . It works great. Im sure if you look you can find some small shop that does high quality work at an affordable price , plus you will still have the original part that has given great service for so many years . Frank I don't know why guys want the "High torque mini starters" when the factory units work fine. Have yours rebuilt by a good shop and be done with it. Part of the Y appeal, at least to me, is the wonderful sound the starter makes while cranking. Doesn't sound like any Jap car. 
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By pegleg - 15 Years Ago
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Tim, Couple of reasons, one is old age. Much easier to hold up and install at my uh...advanced years. Second is I absolutely hate the backwards Bendix on the original, I know that sounds like a personal issue. They actually are lighter and use a lower current draw than the originals. Like Charlie said, they work well and last.
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By charliemccraney - 15 Years Ago
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mctim64 (7/14/2010)
I don't know why guys want the "High torque mini starters" when the factory units work fine. Have yours rebuilt by a good shop and be done with it. Part of the Y appeal, at least to me, is the wonderful sound the starter makes while cranking. Doesn't sound like any Jap car.
My luck with factory units has not been the same. I've had 2 generators, and 2 starters rebuilt for the truck. Not one lasted more than a year after rebuild. All came from different places, local and mail order. I don't know what it is, maybe parts aren't available, or the know-how is long gone, to be able to rebuild them properly. I got tired of spending money on rebuilds that don't last. The sound is different, but it's nice to not have to worry about whether or not it will start.
And even for us young'uns, it's much more pleasant to install.
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By chiggerfarmer - 15 Years Ago
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from mctim64>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Part of the Y appeal, at least to me, is the wonderful sound the starter makes while cranking. Doesn't sound like any Jap car.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you Sir, for I have been wondering all along if there was any difference in the sound of these starters. Like you, I would never be happy with anything except the original starter sound (music). Maybe there is not much difference in the sound, but I really suspect there is. I know, I get way too much enjoyment from nostalgia and originality, and that is just me. And I respect others different ideas, so, most importantly, enjoy your Ford however you like it. Tom
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By mctim64 - 15 Years Ago
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Don't get me wrong, do whatever works for you. But for me I'll stick with the old starter. Charlie I'm sorry to hear you had so much trouble with rebuilts, my last starter (not a rebuilt but a cleaned up "pile" one) lasted four years before the front bushing went out and it just had too much drag. The one I have it the truck right now is one from Charlie Burns parts pile and all I did was disassemble it, clean it and install new brushes. Works great! High torque too.  I'll let you guys know when it fails and then I'll probably install another cleaned up one.
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By rgrove - 15 Years Ago
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If you go with OE, make sure you check out this thread to learn from my difficulties. The key for me was the long threaded rod to get the top bolt lined up....detailed towards the end here..
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic44887-4-1.aspx
I had to call a few places to find someone with a starter in stock. Wound up Macs was the only one that had it; $40 core charge, but cost $30 to ship back. I only sent the core back to keep the parts in service for someone else someday...
Also, found you have to tighten the top bolt first, then the other 2 to get it to align right, otherwise you may end up with a grinding sound, etc....
And order a new rubber seal with the starter (assuming the 57 used it) and glue it to the starter before installing...
Of course, all of this assumes its similar to the 56 starter.
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