Starting problem

[lovepumper]

I have a 69 F100 with a 460 Engine # DIVE-A2B and a C6. Bought the truck and a few weeks later the starter bendix ground itself up. The ring gear looked munched also. I replaced the starter and flexplate. Worked great for about 20 starts and did the same thing. Investigated futher and discovered that the starter was not engaging more than about 1/8th inch. Is there a starter with a longer nose on it? The starter and ring gear match it just wont engage far enough. Any ideas? Thanks, John

[knucklejs]

Is the bellhousing flush with the block? I assume it's all original and someone dodn't swap in an automatic and forget to pull out the crank bearing for the manual nose shaft; that would space the trans back about 3/4" and keep the starter from engaging? Just a thought.

[fordman]

since the 460 wasnt a original engine for these trucks you have to determine what the engine came out of and get a starter for that vehicle. car truck what ever it came out of. but i think yo ualready knwo that. i do not know engine numbers. maybe someone on http://www.460ford.com can help with the numbers.

[lovepumper]

Yes the trans is flush with the block. I guessing its supposed to have a spacer plate between the engine and trans. This would space the trans back how ever thick the plate is but also space the starter the opposite way. Wont gain anything there. When I put the trans back it went up flush no problem and the studs went up flush with the torque converter so it's not like the flexplate is getting bent back when it gets tightened down. The Engine is out of a 71 is what a friend told me based on the number. I'll call today and see if a 71 starter has a different part number. Thanks for your help guys. any other ideas please send them over.

[fordman]

you have to have the starter spacer plate in there to properly locate the starter. so it doesnt grind off the teeth of the starter.

[70_F100]

Any chance the flexplate is bolted on backwards?