Starter won't disengage
01-01-2017, 07:34 AM
#11
FOUND THE SOLUTION - I was having a similar problem of the starter sticking engaged. Literally burnt up two starters and two solenoids because I couldn't get the battery cables disconnected fast enough before smoke appeared.
Very closely compare the ORIGINAL OEM starter to the remans and aftermarkets sold at the major parts stores. You will notice that the replacement starters sold at Nappa, O'reilly's and Autozone all have noses on the starter slightly longer than the OEM by about a 1/8th inch.
All the aftermarket brand starters I have seen to replace the OEM in 1989 F150 w/ 302 (5.0) engine needed to be shimmed out to smoothly operate without either hanging right out of the box or developing the disengage problem over time. If you look very close at your flywheel you will see the witness marks.
Speaking with others confirmed to me that the F150/Bronco starters have two main versions out, 2 bolt and 3 bolt for mounting. This sticking problem is common in both versions. THERE IS A SHIM KIT OUT TO REMEDY THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE so the aftermarket nose/starter gear is correctly aligned.
Dorman Part Number: 02359 (1 each for 2 bolt version) 3/32 inch shim.
Dorman Part Number: 02361 (1 each type for 2 bolt and 3 bolt versions) 3/32 in shims
Napa Part: 655-1188 (1 each for 2 bolt version) 3/32 inch shim
Hope this helps others in the future.
Very closely compare the ORIGINAL OEM starter to the remans and aftermarkets sold at the major parts stores. You will notice that the replacement starters sold at Nappa, O'reilly's and Autozone all have noses on the starter slightly longer than the OEM by about a 1/8th inch.
All the aftermarket brand starters I have seen to replace the OEM in 1989 F150 w/ 302 (5.0) engine needed to be shimmed out to smoothly operate without either hanging right out of the box or developing the disengage problem over time. If you look very close at your flywheel you will see the witness marks.
Speaking with others confirmed to me that the F150/Bronco starters have two main versions out, 2 bolt and 3 bolt for mounting. This sticking problem is common in both versions. THERE IS A SHIM KIT OUT TO REMEDY THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE so the aftermarket nose/starter gear is correctly aligned.
Dorman Part Number: 02359 (1 each for 2 bolt version) 3/32 inch shim.
Dorman Part Number: 02361 (1 each type for 2 bolt and 3 bolt versions) 3/32 in shims
Napa Part: 655-1188 (1 each for 2 bolt version) 3/32 inch shim
Hope this helps others in the future.
Last edited by RMP; 01-01-2017 at 07:46 AM.
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