Anyone running a 400 with a 153t flexplate? If so what starter did you use? My block only had the diaginal bolt pattern, so I drilled the 3rd hole to use a straight patterned ministarter. It must be off bc it chewed up the starter gear. I tried shimming it but no luck. Any ideas?

 

Just go by a diagnol starter from a parts store. They are common and should be in stock.

 

I wish it were that simple! All the starters that have the diagonal bolt pattern are for 168tooth flywheels only.

 

Yes, I have a 400 in my stick-shift 83, have had it there since about 1988 or so.

I have no problem with my starter however, because I drilled mine correctly.

If your bolt hole is drilled wrong, then without seeing it, there's no way I can know for sure what to do about it. However, one sure thing that will work, no matter what: drill the hole out bigger (ALOT bigger) and put a big steel pipe plug in there; then re-drill it, and get it more accurate this time. Depending on what's wrong with it, you might be able to find some less drastic cure.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Is that the only thing needed to do to swap flywheels is drill the other hole and tap it? I thought I could just use the big flywheel and the staggered mount starter with a 700r4, but I hear the starters don't clear the bellhousing or something...

 

Nope, gotta use the small flywheel and drill the hole... no other way around it that I've ever found. Lots of people who don't have 400s with T-5s in their 3rd gens will tell you that they have the answer though. BTDT unlike those guys.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Actually I'm going 383 which is kinda like putting me in the 400sb boat with the external balancing and stuff. I heard everything from swapping the nose pieces on the starters to using a staggered mini-starter to grinding away part of the bellhousing....

Now I'm totally confused, the block is a '73 so it has the big wheel and I ordered the kit and don't know what size flywheel comes in it (Eagle) so I may luck out and get the smaller one. Better is most of the starters are listed to run both flywheels... How could this be possible? Would make a great tech article...

 

If you are using the T-5 five speed transmission, you will have to use the 153 tooth flywheel/flexplate to fit it's bellhousing.
If you are using the 700R4 automatic, the 168 tooth flywheel/flexplate will fit the bellhousing. The staggard hole starter will work just fine.
Only time you need to drill and tap the extra bolt hole is if you are using the aftermarket ministarters where the bolt holes are straight.

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N/A 406, TPIS Miniram, 58mm TB, 30lbs injectors, Custom Ground Elgin Cam, Ported TFS heads, SLP 1-3/4", & DFI computer.
11.70@117mph

[This message has been edited by FAST LiFE (edited July 04, 2001).]