My 56 wagon came with the original 3 on the tree and a 302. From the day I got it the starter has made grinding noises, so I know it is not correct. I like the three on the tree and would like to keep it but what flywheel do I need to make this combo work? It has a new bell housing already that bolted up fine so I think that is all good. Since I didn't build it I might have to start from scratch?
There are two different starters for small block fords, and they are confusing at best. A lot of catalogs at different part stores as well as computer data bases are incorrect, they list one for automatics and one for manual transmissions BUT it is not that simple. It all depends on how far it is from the starter mounting pad on the bellhousing to the front (side closest to the block) of the flywheel/flexplate. As an example my 1965 Falcon, 289 3speed, all factory takes an automatic starter according to O'riellys computer. Twice they gave me one listed for a manual and they sounded like **** and chewed up my flywheel. The automatic starter (according to their database) fit and works perfectly. Because my Falcon uses a 157 tooth flywheel it needs the "automatic" starter. It all has to do with how far the starter drive gear protrudes into the nose of the starter.
Hands down one of the best tech posts I have seen... you cannot beat this information. While my application is a little different (292 Y Block, 3 speed OD but switched to floor shift) even when upgrading to a power master starter there are certain characteristics to keep in perspective. Originally the stock starters with the bendix engaged the flywheel from the REAR of the flywheel teeth. All of the upgrades I have seen, or of course the small block Ford starters, will engage the flywheel teeth from the FRONT of the flywheel. There is an article on my blog concerning this installation and some of the nuances. https://www.hotrodreverend.com/post/2017/12/15/55-ford-restoration-blog-part-31 I think sometimes as well, when you buy a car that has had non-stock mechanical parts installed, sometimes it is guess work concerning such things as which flywheel? tooth count? etc.
Yes, the Y Block starters were like the Flathead starters where the drive gear engaged from the transmission side not the block side. I have seen people use big block (FE) starters on Y Blocks that engage from the front side and they seem to work fine BUT as you said sometimes someone in the past has "found a different path" to make something work. If you are the unlucky guy that gets to repair it 20 years later, good luck! Just as an example we have been building a 32 Ford roadster project as a group. This is the third or forth build we have done and when the car is done we sell it and donate the proceeds to non profit groups in our area. Anyway the project is powered by a 292 Y Block mated to a C4 transmission using a Flat-O products bellhousing from Gene Benson here in Salem. It uses a big block Ford (FE) starter BUT it has a special starter drive that is provided with the kit. If you just installed a big block Ford replacement starter but didn't know the drive was changed you would have a very hard time figuring out what was wrong. I don't know where Gene gets the drive he uses or what it fits originally.
Yes, similar issue with Ch**y starters. The 168 tooth flywheel uses the staggered bolt starter and the 153 tooth uses the straight across bolt pattern. Mopar starters all interchange for the most part but you have to be sure that the bell housing matches the flywheel (large or small). All a part of the fun of hotrodding, but not fun when you learn it when trying to get a car going to get to work the next morning.
We had some issues with this in the past a while back, the block separator plates are different between stick and automatics as well as different flywheel sizes this is an example https://www.cjponyparts.com/bellhou...4e3n7L4zZry8IgCRXs49TTPx2fer8um4aAnwLEALw_wcB You might want to contact them by phone to get the correct information.
Yes, the block separator plates vary by the diameter of the register hole for the starter. The difference is called out in the Ford Starter Tech Bulletin I posted in my first post. Mark
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