Starter Clearances with QT Bellhousings

[cv2065]

If you have a QuickTime bellhousing and was adding/replacing a starter on an existing engine, how would one go about measuring for pinion depth and mesh as the QT bellhousing design doesn’t allow access to the front of the starter once installed.

[dbo_texas]

Perfect timing --> I asked the same question on my build thread just yesterday. I've never installed a starter, so not sure what needs to be done to verify alignment/engagement is correct between starter pinion gear and the flywheel teeth.

[cv2065]

Perfect timing --> I asked the same question on my build thread just yesterday. I've never installed a starter, so not sure what needs to be done to verify alignment/engagement is correct between starter pinion gear and the flywheel teeth.

I'm sure many just bolt these up and move on. I think ring gear depth is what we need to check and here's a quick video that explains it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k9mE1rpGyY

[Jeff Kleiner]

Your video isn’t working for me however I just went through this with a customer’s 427 FE roadster which has a QT bell housing and Powermaster mini starter. After a couple dozen starts the starter failed to engage and when I pulled it I tound that the teeth on the drive were knocked off. After measuring I found that they only had about 1/4” of engagement with the ring gear….but I digress! Measuring is not difficult. Start by measuring from the starter mounting on the bell into the ring rear. Then use a screwdriver to pull the drive out and measure how far out it is from the starter mounting surface. If the starter has a raised pilot you’ll need to subtract that amount from the dimension for its throw. Then it’s just math; using easy numbers lets say that the face of the ring gear is 2” in and the throw of the starter is 2.5”. This means that teeth on the starter drive have .5” contact with the ring gear when engaged.

Jefgy

[cv2065]

Thanks Jeff. Greatly appreciate that. I’ll check the video link. I left off the starter due to clearance when installing the engine and didn’t have the QT bell last time so caught me by surprise when I was looking to adjust. Had to go with a Powermaster Ultra Torque as the MasterTorque wouldn’t fit right with the Canton oil pan unless one of the install bolts was captured between the faceplate and starter body which made it hard to torque the bolt properly.

How important is it to check the pinion clearance with the teeth of the ring gear as you can’t get a paper clip in there to measure?

[rich grsc]

Jefgy ???? someone was mixing their holiday eggnog with their craft beer. :rolleyes::p

[cv2065]

jefgy ???? Someone was mixing their holiday eggnog with their craft beer. :rolleyes::p

lol

[Mike.Bray]

I used studs for my starter mount to the bellhousing, makes it super nice and easy to install especially when the engine is in the car.

[65 Cobra Dude]

So I was Jeff’s lucky customer that had the issue. I sent him another PM mini starter and we got just a couple of starts before it died (teeth mangled). I had to pull the tranny to replace the ring gear and that’s a PIA! Got it all back together and ended up ordering an OEM starter that has worked fine since. The issue for me was the block plate was much thicker on the QT BH which didn’t allow the starter to fully engage the ring gear.

Henry

[cv2065]

So I was Jeff’s lucky customer that had the issue. I sent him another PM mini starter and we got just a couple of starts before it died (teeth mangled). I had to pull the tranny to replace the ring gear and that’s a PIA! Got it all back together and ended up ordering an OEM starter that has worked fine since. The issue for me was the block plate was much thicker on the QT BH which didn’t allow the starter to fully engage the ring gear.

Henry

That's interesting Henry as the block plate that Roush had sent me was 'universal' and super thin and I replaced it with the QT one which I noticed was much beefier. I'll keep that in mind when measuring as Jeff has outlined. I'm surprised it hasn't been a regular issue with so many using QT bellhousings.

[Jim1855]

If found as too deep (too much engagement) I suppose it could be spaced out, but this could then easily minimize the alignment / centering engagement features.

If not deep enough (too little engagement) how is it adjusted to be deeper?

The factory Ford backing plate is thin steel from what I've seen, maybe .060", but I don't remember and didn't measure it. Then the QT plate is maybe .125". I've switched between the two without seeming to have a problem. Maybe I did and didn't realize it.

Jim

[cv2065]

If found as too deep (too much engagement) I suppose it could be spaced out, but this could then easily minimize the alignment / centering engagement features.

If not deep enough (too little engagement) how is it adjusted to be deeper?

The factory Ford backing plate is thin steel from what I've seen, maybe .060", but I don't remember and didn't measure it. Then the QT plate is maybe .125". I've switched between the two without seeming to have a problem. Maybe I did and didn't realize it.

Jim

With too much engagement, I suppose you could use a washer or two on the mounting plate to pull it back. If it's not enough, they give you a shim that increases the distance by about 1/16".

[dbo_texas]

I'm really surprised in all my years on this forum I haven't seen this topic come up more. So what is the proper gear engagement supposed to be? Is it different for every starter motor? Looks like I'm going to need to unmount the mini-starter and measure clearance AND engagement.