[lfagan]

Is there a factory(meaning that I can find it at the boneyard) Ford small block starter that has a smaller diameter body or shorter overall length that will work with an early SBF? I need it because my centerlink is touching my current one at almost full lock. I've raised the engine up about 1/2" and that gave me great header clearance but didn't eliminate the starter contact.
Thanks,
Len

 

[71hotrodpinto]

The later model starters are almost always smaller in dia. Im sorry but i couldnt give yout the correct model# to look for.
If you had big $260 the best for what you want is the CSR starter for fords. Last starter you ever bought

http://www.csr-performance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SC&Category_Code=S2

its what i have on my V8 pinto setup and it clears the crossmember perfectly, especially since i lowered the engine 3/4 to 1"
A stock ford starter bearly clears with it in the "normal" location.
Anyways Good luck

 

[82GT]

Get a starter from a '92-95 5.0 mustang.

 

[ujt389]

I can tell you this, on my completely modern setup (roller 302 with a latemodel bellhousing and t5 trans) early starters for a 289 and C4 worked, so using this info the reverse might be true, that is a latemodel starter would work on an early setup.

 

[lfagan]

Any idea on the diameter of the 92-95 starter compared to the earlier ones? What tooth flywheel do they need?
Thanks,
Len

 

[Just Jim]

It's not from the bone yard but this starter from these guys on E Bay worked for me.It's just a replacement for the late model starter.Should be small enough to clear your steering.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-FORD-MUSTANG-COUGAR-HI-TORQUE-MINI-STARTER-302-351_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33576QQitemZ8041570376QQrdZ1

 

[lfagan]

Cool, now I've got an idea of what it looks like. I see that they show extra wiring, what needs to be done to wire it up?
Thanks,
Len

 

[Just Jim]

It's easy to hook up.Just connect the existing heavy wire going to the starter to the other side of the solenoid so its hot all the time and then run the wire that comes with the new starter to the starter side of the solenoid then down to the solenoid on the new starter.Easier than it sounds.

 

[lfagan]

Final questions...
I have a 157 tooth manual flywheel and small bellhousing will the late model starter for the 164 tooth still work okay? The junkyard wanted to know if I needed a manual or auto 5.0 starter? I assumed manual but want to make sure. I really don't know much about the later stuff. I really appreciate all the help.
Take care,
Len

 

[Just Jim]

The late model mini starter I used fit my 157T C4 just fine but I'm not sure about an early 157T stick like yours. The early starters had a different "nose" between the auto and stick.Try contacting the guys at the E Bay link I posted,they will probably be able to help.

 

[indigo66]

92-95 mustang starters are the same regardless of transmission. They fit C4's, but will not fit early model 3 and 4 speed sticks. Flywheel tooth count doesn't seem to matter.

 

[66GT289]

Depends on where the teeth are on the flywheel. I've got
a '95 starter on my '66 289 4spd. Everything's stock,
except for a McLeod flywheel. For some reason they
designed their flywheels to use an "automatic" starter,
so the '95 unit works fine. I think that the flywheel teeth
are closer to the front end of the car on the McLeod unit,
so you no longer need the long nose "manual" starter.

 

[coolfalcon]

When I took the ford mini starter off my falcon it had a 289 and a top loader 4 speed in it. Now I have a 164t and a c4 and I had to change the nose on the starter for it to work on the c4. That was three years ago and I can’t remember if it was shorter or longer. So in any event the nose on the mini is different for top loader to c4. As for the 80's and up 5.0 and 5.8's I don’t know.

 

[FEandGoingBroke]

the centerlink on the Green '65 I did over in England had the 289 and the sterter was hit by the center-link all the dang time.... My buddy Never bothered to change it...