What is the best replacement starter for a 312, something that's available at a typical parts store? Do any other family's fit ie FE? 1956 vintage

The starters from 1956 thru 1964 Y’s and the starters from 1958 thru 1964 FE’s are interchangeable with each other.  The ‘pitch’ of the starter teeth on the ring gear is the limiting factor for starter selection for the Ford Y and the first six years of Ford FE production.
 
Came 1965, the FE went to a more universal ‘pitch’ for the starter drive and the flywheel teeth.  It must also be noted that the Y-Block and early FE starters also have starter drives that drive forward rather than rearward.  As a result, the step on the standard transmission flywhl for the starter ring gear is on the engine side of the flywheel for the early model engines rather than on the transmission side.  Simply installing a late model ring gear on an early model flywheel and using the late model starter has the ring gear ultimately being driven back off of the flywheel after repeated hits of the starter.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

OK, thank you Ted. I was looking to put a smaller starter in, but would need to change ringgear. Mine is a stick, so what ring application would I need or can the ring be reversed?

The ring only goes on from one side of the flywheel, it can't be reversed mounted. Some time in the past I seem to recall a 289/302 flywheel could be machined to use on a Y, maybe someone has that info.
Whats wrong using a stock starter?

I would be surprised if there is any starter that is readily available at a parts store that can be made to fit a Y relatively easily.

There is a mini starter available, http://autoelec.com/html/y_block_ford_gear_reduction_starter.html.  I've had one of these for about 14 years on a  daily, year round, in scorching heat, rain, snow, etc, driver.  Many others have used this as well and I've not yet heard anything bad about them.


Lawrenceville, GA

Power Master has a "mini" starter for a Y-block. Quite a few suppliers list them. They can be easily clocked for installation. Probably easier to put in than a stock on especially with power steering. In the $150 range. I bought a rebuilt for my 56 6 years ago and guys cringe with the sound. I tell them don't listen. I've adjusted many on a SBC but non on a Y yet.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I have one of autelectric's starters, on the car for 10 years or more, and never had a problem.  Reading about the problem of getting the stock starters out makes me think the mini starter is the way to go

.



54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

The mini starter is very simple to get in and out. Makes starter removal a breeze.

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Well. I bit the bullet for a new starter from Napa. 170.00 but I got 21 years out of the last one, just pia to change!