Technical Whats the fe ford starter install secret?

Hey i thought you said you changed it in the middle of a blizzard?!

 

Yes, freezing and during the 2nd 1978 blizzard. It was probably around 15 degrees with a wind chill of about -15...

I pulled the car up on a packed snow bank in front of my house, dug out under it with a shovel. I laid on a piece of cardboard and went at it.

 

I’ve just pulled mine out and the pinion is in what I’d describe as the on position, @theHIGHLANDER did you determine if there was a reason why it wasn’t fully returned?

 

I haven't messed with it to see why. On my back burner as there's no immediate need, but yes, that's how mine came out. Does yours float or is it stuck too?

Heavy bastard, huh?

 

I can move it about 1/8 inch towards the starter but not at all the other way. Where it is it’s gotta be spinning with the engine running.

Didn’t think it was quite as heavy as a Chevy one!

 

All my research says it should kick back upon upon engine start. Mine was stuck much the same way. I have a really nasty looking one too, all surface rusted that I might clean up and explore as well, but the literature and pics online all show it back, or away from the starter motor.

 

A little newer, but still an FE. I had to change the starter in my 70 F100 parts chaser a few years ago, pulled the exhaust to do it. That lead to other issues with the upper bolts breaking, which lead to rebuilding the heads. I stopped there.

Devin

 

The Blizzard of ‘78, I was living in Hartford at that time, school was cancelled for quite some time and we loved it. My brother and I made money hand over fist shoveling walks and driveways.
I never had to swap starters on my 1963 Galaxie 352, now I realise how fortunate I was.

 

Fun times. I was in the midst of a divorce and a small house gets REAL small when you are cooped up for 3 or 4 days with snow up to the outside window sills... . Suicide at the time was very much on the table.