Does anyone know the true diameter of a 157 & 164 tooth flexplate?

[spirockp]

And no I still haven't fixed my starter and flexplate problem. After doing some measuements last night on the trans and flexplate with the starter it just seems that both gears are just a bit too small and there just not engauging correctly.

I believe I now have a C4 with a small bell housing and a 157 tooth flexplate, but then why doesn't my replacement STOCK starter work?

 

[brianj5600]

13.30 & 14.23 Most case fills are 157, and most pan fills are 164. Sounds like a large bell and a small flexplate. The starter holes are less than .5" different and very hard to eyeball.

 

[spirockp]

I'm sorry, what's a case fill and a pan fill. Can't figure it out?

Also I believe I have a small bellhouse and a 157 tooth flexplate. (I counted) I also took off my inspection plate at the bottom of the trans. The distance between the flexplate and the inside of the bell is 1/8 of an inch, so there's no way a 164 tooth flexplate will fit.

My starter hole is 4 1/8 inch.

I also fill my trans from the back of the motor passenger side.

 

[302 coupe]

case fill means the dipstick tube goes into the case. Pan fill means the dipstick goes into, you guessed it, the pan (the side of the pan actually). If you have a 157 tooth flex, a 157 tooth compatible bell, and the correct starter, the only thing left would be the block plate. It is my understanding that they cannot physcially be mis-matched, only one type of block plate can fit the bell. But who knows what all has been swapped onto your car by a previous owner.

 

[mustangdave]

Is the starter working; gear coming out to mesh with flexplate?

 

[spirockp]

I have tryed 2 different starters. It sounds like the gears are spinning and just missing. It turns the motor, well sort of, some of the time. I also have shavings which is tell me that the gears are connecting, just not in a good way.

Also as far as the blockplate, it's just a less than 1/8 of an inch plate. The starter still bolts into the bell, so how can that screw things up?

Again, thanks for all of the info. It has helped me slowly troubleshoot my issue. I was all ready to swap out flexplates and most likely wastea bunch of time and money. I think I may be OK with that, but again, it's still not working .....

 

[spirockp]

I also had both starters bench tested. They seem OK.

 

[spirockp]

Ok here are 2 pictures. Case or Pan? I guess pan. I'll try to get a better flexplate shot. Batteries just died!

 

[shelbe67]

case fill

 

[302 coupe]

yep.

 

[brianj5600]

Nice oilpan!

 

[TrickStang37]

i dont know shiet about flexplates (yet) but is it possible to install it backwards? ... i know, it might be a stupid question.

 

[TrickStang37]

this might not be worth anything to you but i remember looking through this site and seeing some different starters all used for c4 bellhousing, depending what part number your bell is.

http://mmerlinn.tripod.com/trans/fdc4f/fd9c4bhd.htm

 

[TrickStang37]

actually, thinking about it, your flexplate is most likely on backwards. I had a 94 Impala Clone before and when I had a 383 LT1 put in, the starter would not engage most of the time. At first I told the guy who put the motor in that the flexplate is probably on backwards and he said it was impossible. . . and then It ended up the flexplate WAS on backwards. atleast he did admit to it too. same exact problem your having.

 

[spirockp]

Trick I wish it was that simple, but I don't believe I have it on backwards. If I remember correctly when the motor and trans was out, I did install it on backwards and the motor and trans wouln't mate correctly so I turned it around.

So I do believe it is impossible to put a flexplate on backwards.

Anyone have any info if that's true?

 

[1320stang]

Can't put the flexplate on backwards, one bolt hole is off a bit and it'll only go on one way.

I'm betting the problem is with the nosecone. There are several different nose cones, I know of at least 3, for these starters. I have a 289 with a scattershield and was told to look at the nosecone when I went to get a replacement. Ended up swapping nose cones there on the parts store counter. I needed to put a bushing in it and ended up taking it to a starter shop and they put in a new one for like $5.

So a piece of advise, compare the starters when you get a replacement.

 

[spirockp]

1320stang, I already traded in the starter that came with the car. I don't know what the orginal looked like.

Anyone have a picture?

 

[spirockp]

Just received my May Mustang & Fords and what do you think I found? A 7 page article dedicated to the C4. Charts, Pictures, Refrence Guide, Cast Numbers.....

I'll let you know what I find out.....

 

[havack]

You shouldn't need this but I have a factory matched flexplate and bell for the C-4/early 302 157 tooth. and I know what the correct part number for the starter is for the match. Email me.

 

[1320stang]

All I know is one of the ones I had was clocked different and I think another had a different nose cone depth. That's been 10 years or more ago....