Just picked up an old 87 ford f150 with a 351 4bl. Got it to use as a general work horse. I'm having some issues with the starter not engaging the flywheel correctly. By the wear marks it looks like the bendix is extending about right, but its only catching the edges of the teeth. Starter was installed right before i bought the thing. Flywheel doesnt look damaged yet. Would like to get this straightened out before thats an issue. I know my way around under a hood, but I have NO experience with fords. Read that there are different tooth flywheels and starters. Just looking for some brand specific input.

 

Being that the starter was replaced just prior to the purchase, make sure that it has the correct application starter.. MAN and AUTO havedifferent drives.. And, who's rebuild starter was installed.. May be a 'quality' issue.. Tooth count for an auto is 10..

 

hmmm..just went and counted; a couple of times; and it only has 9 teeth. yet the starter part # is listed as the one for an automatic....palladium p3180 advance auto rebuild unit. Truck is an 85, not 87. My bad.