Anyone with a Flat o matic? starter issue?

So I might have a "special" 8BA Flathead. I have cracked 3 flexplates trying to get the Speedway flathead to C4 kit to work, with the advice from the HAMB I bought the Flat O Matic kit. It went together great but I got a weird metal sound when I tried to turn it over. I marked the bolt heads last night to see if they are hitting the cam cover bolts but the starter sounded like it locked up and now just clicks. I will pull the starter again today and see if anything is obvious.

I was told that a new mini starter might be a lot better but I have no idea which one will fit, plus I kinda wanted the old flathead starter since the mini looks funky with my killer flathead. Anyone have any ideas? Since I am having problems with Flato and speedway I am wondering if my flatty is funky. Any trans guys in phoenix?

 

Call Terry Smith. Twisted Okie on the board. He had the same problem but I don't rememberwhat he did to correct it. PM me and I will give you his number.

 

I had problem hitting back of motor and didn,t want to use spacer, but found out that the spacer is needed.They have a stuck flexplate and pushes the flexplate out to far.What you have to do is push the starter in more.I use the mini starter because it engages on the other side of plexplate.So far its working good they are pricie ,flatomatic sells them and mite want the starter plate also.

 

see this -hope it helps
http://www.flat-o.com/accessories/starters.htm

 

I think flat o sells the mini starter for 225, just did not want to spend the money if thats not my problem. I thought everyone used the original starter from the flat head motor. Hate to throw another $250 at this fiasco and still not work. Maybe my old starter is bad?

 

They may work better on the older motors,Did you do any grinding on back of motor.The touque covt bolts will hit on some,i got a spacer with mine about 1/8 thick.Thats one problem,now with that the starter needs to go in farther and there is no easy way,but to come in on other side with mini starter.

 

you have to have the special snout for the started that is usually included in the kit... never heard of using the factory starter.

 

The special snout is for the Speedway kit which I have and used. I am now on to the Flat O Matic adapter kit. I tired to go without the spacer plate but the flex plate seemed really close to the engine so I ended up installing the spacer. No one ever mentioned that I would also need to buy an ugly mini starter, thought everyone used the factory flathead starter. Anyone know which mini works with this system?

When will the madness stop.... Broke my first flex plate January 8th, tomorrow is April.

 

just pulled the starter and everything looks good but the starter jams up when I try to turn it over. If I have to switch to a mini starter then I will need to flip the flex plate over so the little angle on the teeth faces forward? I would ***ume so since the factory starter activates toward the front of the car from behind and the newer ones gears sit in front of the flex plate and push toward the rear when starting.

Anyone have the flat o with a mini starter? Which starter do I need?

 

You can,t turn flexplate.The problem is measure from block surface to back flexplate.Now measure from mounting surface of starter out to gear all the way out.You may have the wrong starter plate or you have to push starter in or get the shaft back toward the rear of car.You also could shim the mercury bell back about 1/8.Thats what i see as the problem.

 

Anyone know what mini starter fits this kit?

 

Man, when I was having problems with my speedway kit I got bombarded with suggestions to use the Flat O kit. Where is every one?

Cricket.... cricket.... cricket,,,

 

You could have a miss matched starter plate on the wrong bellhousing. Take a look at: http://www.flatheadv8.org/bellhousing.pdf

There may be more info at: http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm


buflochp

 

Holy **** thats a lot of changes ole Henry made. I will double check my parts, I am on my second starter plate since the first one was ridged and hit the flex plate. I think the bellhousing is correct, I do have a couple of stamped bellhousings also but I believe they need to be modified to use, I am going to compare the two if the trans comes out for the 5th time. I am still thinking the starter is causing the problem this time just dont know which one fits this set up. Thanks for your help

 

So no one has used the Flat o matic C4 kit?

 

Have used the Flat-O-Matic with no problems just make sure the starter plate is the flat starter plate and not the angled one also with the cast bell you may need to do some grinding to make it fit, the directions cover all of this and if you ever have any problems all you have to do is call Gene, he will help you, can't say enough good words about Gene.................
Been using this for 9years with stock starter also on a blown flattie.............

 

I have spoke with Gene several times and so far its still a mystery. I am using the cast bell and the only grinding the directions talk about is on the back of the block, nothing on the bellhousing. I did grind on the block but dont think I needed to because I am using the flex plate spacer. I also installed the washers between the flex plate and torque converter. I am also using the flat starter plate and the mounting surface is flat. I still have a hunch about the starter not working properly but so far no one knows which starter I need.

 

anyone know of a place in Phoenix that rebuilds starters? I would like to use the flathead starter if possible. I accidently pulled my starter apart on one of the 42 times that I have pulled it. What a pain to put it back, the brushes looked ok but I have no idea what they should look like when they are good.

 

Mighty quiet around here, has anyone used the Flat O kit with a mini starter? what starter fits?

 

2 in the Phoenix area. Phoenix Generator in Ph and Genstar in Glendale.

 

Thanks John, I will get my starter rebuilt and if I still have problems then a mini starter might be my next option. Still have no idea if I need a generic starter for a ford or what, never heard of a mini starter for a flathead

 

If you measured as i said the inside edge of starter gear is hitting the flex plate.You can get 1/8 washers cut a slot and shim out the ford bellhousing no need to take apart.I have a mini starter and drives from other side.Its about 3/8 on flexplate and works well.If you have there alumum stater plate it should work ok.Its a lot better to work on the starter plate.I only have about 500 miles on mine and i like it.You can alway say your engine has so much compression you need a stump puller that speedway sells.For the $200 fix it and forget it.

 

This is the alumin starter plate from Flatomatic and there mini starter.It works good even with 30 weight and 20 degs here in Maine.

 

It looks like that might be a special starter and mounting plate. I was hoping that I could go to my local parts store and pick one up but that looks specific to their kit. Looks like I have to start saving my pennies. Thanks George for all your time and help. kurt

 

o did the ministarter and the flat starter plate fix the problem?

 

I'm having a similar problem something hitting and it's not the starter plate ?? And ideas ??