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.

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

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.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

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



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

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.


Lawrenceville, GA

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.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

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.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

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?




57 Black Tbird 312/auto

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.

Brian - 56 T-Bird

Woodinville WA

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.


Lawrenceville, GA

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.

Brian - 56 T-Bird

Woodinville WA