Am I installing my flathead starter correctly?

no6

Senior Member
I am new at flatheads and I ordered a starter for my flathead and it had two nuts holding the end covers on. I took the nuts off and used the bolts that hold the end covers on and bolted it to the starter cover, is this correct? It seems like a weak arrangement.
 
Mine has two bolts about 9" long through the starter face and body to the oil pan/flywheel housing. It is pretty sturdy. It is not going anywhere for sure.
 
In addition to the 2 long bolts there should be another clip that goes under the starter long bolt closest to the oil pan. This clip also bolts to an oil pan bolt. Mac's lists it on page 110 of their catalog. pt #51a-11140 $6.25

This supports the back end of the starter.
John
 
In addition to the clip to the oilpan as oldford2 advised, you should know that the rear face of the starter makes electrical contact with the pan, and must be free of any paint for that reason.
 
Hi Folks! I have a problem with my starter.
My engine is a 221 flatie 1935. Original with original starter.

I have followed all the tip above, and now, I can not move my engine by "hand"?
what is the correct position of the gear of the starter, in the end or in the begging?

tks
Rod
 
You have to tilt the starter so the gear gets behind the flywheel. The gear moves towards the front of the car.
 
Bolted it to the starter cover????? You mean the oil pan?

It depends on which year/type engine he has. On 32-48 engines the starter bolts to the flywheel cover that's attached to, or part of, the oil pan. On 49-53 engines the starter bolts to a cover/starter plate that bolt to the removable bellhousing. The only exception is on 48 trucks that had an 8ba/7rt engine.
 
You don't want to crank it without that little bracket to the pan bolt on the front of the starter. Too much torque and things will go bad quickly. ( had that bracket snap once and ended up making my own out of a 3/4" piece of aluminum which I has to bend and twist to fit properly. Worked great. (I was stranded at the time)
 
Can someone give me the dimensions of the throughbolts holding the starter to the oil pan? I’m guessing they are UNC 1/4”.

I can’t get to the starter installed until the same day that I want to install the high powered new starter so I can’t check for myself.
 
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