So I just replaced my clutch, flywheel too while I was at it, everything runs like it should.

However, when starting the truck the starter grinds. It always starts up first try and starts strong. The truck has a brand new battery and a 3G alternator that's recharging the system correctly.

Last night I took the starter off the truck and everything was bolted up right, nice and tight. I looked at the flywheel and the started and there is a very light amount of grinding going on on both the starter and flywheel. Looking at the flywheel it seems like the starter doesn't go in deep enough to grab enough of the flywheel. I have never had this kind of problem but I'm not sure what the problem can be.

Any ideas?

Truck is an 87 EFI F150 w/ a 4.9

 

Are there any starters out there that will go deeper into the bell housing and grab the flywheel better?

 

Did you replace the starter too when you did the clutch?
The reason I asked is they may have given you one for a auto transmission.

 

No I didn't get a new starter it's the same one. The flywheel was put back on with loctite too.

Te are on the flywheel that is being worn looks like its due to the fact that the starter is not going in deep enough on the flywheel. I'm going to try removing the washers on the bolts tonight and then adding some loctite instead.

Would this help?

 

Ford starting motors are somewhat notorious. A grinding starting motor has a bad kick out spring and needs to be replaced. The only starting motor that is worse and I mean really bad are the starters used in Dodge and Plymouth's circa 1970.

 

Before you installed the new flywheel did you set both the old and new flywheels next to each other to see if the ring gears were at the same depth.Sounds like you have the wrong flywheel or they did not fully seat it when it was put together.

 

Im positive that it was set flush, now as far as the ring gears I'm not too sure. I did not install the new pilot bearing that came with the new clutch kit, I just left the one that already in there... Could this be a problem? Or cause the flywheel to farther back therefore preventing the starter from grabbing completely?

The pilot that was in there was nice and greased and did not look worn at all.

 

Pull the starter and check the kick out.

 

This my first time messing around with a starter what's the kick?

If your talking about the gear looking thing than yeah it has some wear on but it's from what has recently been happening.

 

I didn't get a chance to try out without the washers that the bolts have. Will have to wait unroll tomorrow morning.