flywheel/starter combo

[6t5404]

I have a 65 Comet 404 with a 289 Hi Po with the original 168 tooth flywheel. Does it require a special starter. I don't want to put the wrong one on and grind off some of the ring gear.

[redhotcomet]

I don't believe the small block ford were built with a 168 tooth flywheel. Only 164 or 157 and possibly a 160? But yes you will need the starter to match the flywheel.

[comethead]

Yeah Ford made 157 tooth (interchanges with 160 tooth) and 164 tooth. I believe the 168 tooth is a Hipo flywheel that is heavier to counterbalance the heavier harmonic balancer. Physically it interchanges with the 164 tooth.

So you'll need the starter with the longer snout and the right bellhousing.

The parts guys are going to ask you auto or manual trans- that doesn't really matter. It's the flywheel size that matters. But if you tell them that their eyes will roll around to the back of their heads and they'll start drooling uncontrollably.
Best bet is to ask for all the SBF starters they have and get the right one.

Joe

[comethead]

http://www.moderndriveline.com/Docs/For ... 0_2010.pdf
And http://www.cometcentral.com/forum/viewt ... =9&t=13325

[6t5404]

I managed to get the starter that was on the car when last running (1978) on by loosening the header and grinding the started post down. Problem solved. By the way, the 168 tooth flywheel was for the Hi Performance engines. I have a spare block (66) out of a Hi Po and it also has the 168 tooth.
thanks for the info.

[Comechero65]

If I remember right Joe has the large bh and used the class 2 or starter with the short nose. late sbf flywheels 157 or 160 tooth take the long nose starter also called auto starter. The starter ring is on the back side of the flywheel. Early engines had the starter ring on the front edge of the flywheel so used what was called the manual starter. ford eliminated that by moving the ring gear to the back edge. So most late model sbf's use the long nose or auto style.

Never new ford has a 168 tooth flywheel. I would think that would need the large bh.
Ron