C4 trans swap emergency

I swapped a C4 into my 93 vert and Im having a serious starter dilema. Problem is that the starter kicks out and spins but isnt making contact with the flywheel. I have tried three different starters so far. Everybody I have talked to so far believs that the C4 should use the same starter as a T5 or an AOD. Thats what I thought so if thats the case Ive got serious problems.

The trans I used is a 26 spline, case fill that supposedly came out of a 78 or 79 fairmont. I was told it was the small bellhousing for a 157 tooth flexplate. I measured the bolt circle on the converter that came with it and it measures 10.5" so I figured that confirmed that it was indeed the small bellhousing. I ordered and installed the TCI 157t/50oz flexplate for an 5.0 C4 combo. Only thing I can think of here is that the tranny has a big bellhousing for the 164t flexplate which would explain why the starter doesnt engage but all the information I have found leads me to believe it is the small one. Mainly the fact that the Bbellhousing is held on by the same bolts as the pump.

So my main question is, how do I positivly ID my bellhousing visually and should the T5/AOD starter I have work or does it indeed take a different starter? Please help...I'm frantic here. and seriously that Im not going to be able to make this work.

Here is a picture of the tranny before I installed it. If anybody can positively ID it, I would really appereciate it.
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Ranchero5.0 said:

Starters are starters on these. 99% sure you have a big bell setup with a small flexplate (been there, done that). Run a pencil across the bolt holes in the starter and compare the teeth gap to what you have on the divider plate to flexplate.

If memory serves, the only small bell ones were from mustang II's. The pan fills were usually from trucks with big bells.

Jamie

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When I say "small", I am refering to the fairly common 157t version that was used in alot of passenger cars, not the goofball 143t mustang II small bell. And this one isnt pan fill, its case fill. So can you tell from the pic that its the big one or are you thinking that based on the info I gave?

Ranchero5.0 said:

Based on the info. Did you see this combo running or was it peiced together for you?

The dipstick tube looks unmolested like it should fit the bell. Not real sure except you saying it doesn't engage the flexplate.

Jamie

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Never saw it running. I bought it as "needing gone through" and had my nephew rebuild it. A guy had the trans with the bell on it, the dipstick, the seperator plate and the converter all together sitting in the corner of his garage. He said it was the small bell version out of a 78 or 79 fairmont. Thing that throws me is that the converter that came with it is definately the small version and thats what I used to verify what converter and flexplate I needed. So I'm guess somebody must have just thrown in a converter they had lying around or something.

This is just a suggestion but maybe a t5 starer would work.? Just an idea don't hold me to it or anything. I believe they use a 157 tooth flywheel. Maybe they will engage farther?

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Thoereticaly, the same starter should fit a T5 with 157t flywheel, an AOD with a 164t flexplate as well as a C4 with either a 157t or 164t assuming that the bellhousing and flexplate match. At least thst what my research has come up with. Thats why it threw me when I tried a T5 mustang starter, an AOD mustang starter and a starter for a 79 fairmont which as far as I could tell was the same as the T5 starter.