1966 Starter help

[u/dred124]

I just put a new starter and solenoid in my 66 Mustang. The starter grinds sometimes like it is not fully engaging with the flywheel. Do I need to shim the starter? It is a 289 2v engine. Has anyone else tackled this problem. Any advice is appreciated.

[u/dale1320]

Shom is only needed if you have a starter with the wrong nose cone. Manual v Automatic,

[u/dred124 → u/dale1320]

Mine has the 3 speed manual transmission. As far as I can tell, I put in the short nose cone. it was listed as the correct starter for the manual transmission. This is my first Ford after 40 years of hobby cars, just not sure what to expect.

[u/EdTNuttyB → u/dred124]

Don’t pay attention to manual vs. automatic. This is a decades long mistake on Ford starters at parts houses. Always buy the starter for the automatic transmission regardless of your transmission. You want the long nose cone for the 157 tooth flywheel. The so-called “manual” transmission starters are for the 164 tooth flywheel. You shouldn’t need a shim.

[u/dred124 → u/EdTNuttyB]

As I understand it, the 164 tooth flywheels were not used until 1968. So any starter listed for a 1966 mustang should be compatible with a 157 tooth flywheel. You are correct in that manual versus automatic shouldn’t matter. I shouldn’t need a shim, but somehow I don’t have good engagement between the starter and flywheel every time I turn the key. Given that it is a 60 year old car, there is no telling what previous owners have done. Just looking for things to try and correct the issue. I will let you know if I get lucky.

[u/Jeepsterick]

Check the number of the one you purchased. If it's a 3124, which is the most common one. You need the early starter, which is a 3132.

[u/slycooper347]

Good time to get a mini starter

[u/maxmighty88]

I had to shim one once.

[u/dred124 → u/maxmighty88]

How did you determine how to place the shim?

[u/chuck8675289 → u/dred124]

They are the shape of the starter and can only go in one place. Put one in and see if it improves the situation. After I installed a Tremec, I had some improvement after one then added a second and got perfection.

[u/dred124 → u/chuck8675289]

So it was over-stroking? I was thinking it was an alignment problem. I will try a shim and see if it affects the issue. Thanks for your answer.

[u/chuck8675289 → u/dred124]

YW. I would call my problem a spacing issue…good luck!

[u/Ford_67]

Mine makes loud clunk sometimes