I recently built an engine for someone that’s using a Ford Y-Block Quick Time bellhousing and 164 tooth flywheel for their Tremec 5 speed conversion in a 1956 Club Sedan.  They are having trouble sourcing the correct starter for this combination.  The starter number provided by the vendor that sold him the bellhousing ends up being a starter that does not fit.   Any help for the original application or part number for the three bolt starter that fits this combination would be great.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

3 bolt starter sounds like a FE and if it is did they get one for a manual trans or automatic as there could be a difference,I do have a mystery Ford 3 bolt starter in the shed that I think might be from a 2.3 or 2.8 V6.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

I’ve tried a FE and 4.6 mod motor starter and neither works.  The FE starter does come close for the register diameter but the starter hole in the Quick Time bell-housing plate is too far inboard for the FE starter to adequately clear the block.  I’m told there’s a two bolt starter out there that will work but simply need an application or a specific part number to go forward with this.  Unfortunately I only have the two aforementioned starters in which to try so at this point I’m looking for options without purchasing a starter that doesn't fit.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

The early 289-302 motors used a two bolt mounting and I think they are a little smaller in diameter then the FE starter. If it wasn't wet outside I could possibly measure the one on my 66 mustang. Those had two different drives/nose for the auto and stick flywheels..

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/topic62199.aspx 
Not sure if this helps or not. Seems it has happened before.

Durham Missouri

Thanks for the link.  That’s the best information I had on this to date.  Vendors have been absolutely clueless.
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/topic62199.aspx
That older post does help a bunch and gives me a direction to go.  Looks like I’ll be taking another look at the FE starter I have here and see what kind of machine work or grinding is going to take place in which to get it in the hole.  Just knowing that someone has used a FE starter and made it work gives me hope.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

WOW, after reading this info you couldn't pay me to use their products, I'll make a note of that..

I hate to be a spoilsport but this is why we are "hotrodders", we make things fit. We lost a Lakewood style Hydroformed bell housing on our dirt race car and bought a QuickTime welded plate style and could not be happier but we are not working with a y-block. I've lived with this for over 45 yrs with my GMC 6's "just buy it and bolt it on" does not work. I wish the parts we get would have better engineering but some don't. Teds problem can hopefully be fixed with help here but will probably be re-engineered by him we know he will figure it out.
I now you guys my hate this but maybe the way to go is using a Bensten (sp) or other GM auto trans adapter and put a stick a GM bellhousing on it if that route would work. Please keep us informed on what fixes it...Good Luck.

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

If the part wasn't ever made to fit, as in the GM 6, that is one thing.  If it is suppose to fit but doesn't, as in this Y-Block specific bellhousing, that is an entirely different story.  Part of the rationalization for paying such a high price for the part is that it will fit.  When that doesn't happen, it is a big problem.

That said, I think Quicktime is the only game in town for a blow proof housing for a Y and if you participate in some form of racing that requires that, then you are stuck with that, whether it fits or not.



Lawrenceville, GA

Agreed, in the old days we had to make things work, I've done plenty of that. But with todays technology and the high prices for it you shouldn't have to grind and hammer to fit, weld shut and paint to match..