Zetec Birkin… earth locations??

[Clarko]

4 hours ago, MV8 said:

I see you have marks on the flywheel ring gear from contact with the old starter gear. I also see where the engine block was ground away for starter clearance. Fabricated starter mount plates can have machining errors or generally sloppy enough to make things work properly. There are several things to check.

 

Post pictures of the new starter gear , ring gear (where it can be seen through the starter window), and starter installed to show clearances.

 

It could be the block was not ground enough for starter clearance. Ensure there is clearance between the engine block and the starter. Make the bolts finger tight, then you should still be able to rock the starter body back and forth on the mount plate a little. You should be able to rock it toward the block with the bolts slightly loose.

 

If you cannot tell if there is clearance to the block, Use some play doh/ plasticine/ soft modeling clay on the block or starter, install the starter, then remove and look at the clay to see how thin it was squeezed out.

 

Following on 7Wesfields suggestion, washers are typically too thick to keep the tooth engagement optimum, inconsistent in thickness, and so small in od that they don't evenly load the starter mounting flange.

 

Take a sheet of paper and hold it over the starter mount flange with the edge up against the flywheel. Using a pencil or rub with your thumb over the sharp edges of the mount flange and bolt holes so they show on the paper.

 

Cut the paper down to be a half circle shim. Cut out the holes with a hammer punch set (on ebay for gasket making and crafts). Trace the paper on to a cereal box. Make several tracings to make three shims out of the kraft paper that are flat (not burred up from cutting technique). Try different amounts of shim until the problem goes away, remove, measure the thickness with a six inch dial caliper (ebay for about $20) or take it to a machine shop to make your shim. I think an .050" sheet steel shim would be fine. You can buy the steel from home depot but it will need painting. You can also scan (not a pic-use a photo copier) the paper pattern and I will make you a couple .050" steel shims.

 

It looks to be an 80s ford powered skidsteer/ 78-80 ford fiesta starter.

 

 

 

 

Wow MV8! 
very detailed Thankyou so much for the time in explaining that to me.

I will start those steps.. and report back.

I might be pushed to get that done before I head across to Scotland to check in on my Mum for a couple of weeks.

👍🙏🙏

[MV8]

Understood 7westfield.

 

I cross referenced and found this fitment to be a common starter for newer ford vehicle applications with up to 1.4kw output, gear reduction, permanent magnet units. I expect the same same diameter but longer. Mahle is generally industrial and commercial applications. Doesn't sound like you need a new starter though but good to know it is available domestically for around $50. The starter application includes a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0l v6.

 

You can also check clearance by pulling a sheet of paper between the installed starter and the block. The starter shim would look like this with a thumb tab to make it easier to hold during installation. More material can be removed from the block if needed for clearance.

 

 

Edited September 21 by MV8