With the Flat-O-Matic C/4 bellhousing and flex plate to Y-Block conversion I use , what  aftermarket starter is being used in place of a Ford starter ?.The Ford starter used in this conversion is push in like 1965 & up not pull back starter drive used pre. 65 . I know there are lite weight Hi torque and gear drive starters available  for Ford bellhousings , but  will they fit this conversion?  Thanks in advance .  Harry Hutten Jr  

hjh, I bought a new, not rebuilt, Pure Energy FE starter, part # 3131N for the Flat-O Products C4 conversion kit. It is a standard-size, non-high-torque starter. Although I haven't installed it yet, there doesn't appear to be any clearance issues, and that's with Sanderson headers on my 55 Tbird. Stock exhaust manifolds should be no problem as well. Rather than installing the starter gear that is included in the Flat-O kit myself, I had a local shop do it, as well as test the starter. Although it's a new starter, it was made in China (I suppose most are nowadays). Even new parts can be defective. I would avoid buying a rebuilt starter from chain stores. 

You can also contact Gene (Flat-O Products) and ask what he recommends. Call, Gene doesn't like email. 

On the conversion in my 56 Bird, I used a FE starter (don't remember the actual application, bought used) as recommended by Flat-O.  Used their pieces to modify it.  No real trouble, but the starter was just a tad to close to the flywheel and it hit the flywheel when driving.  Just used  some small washers to act as shims and everything is ok.  Now going on 5 years.


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

Paul & 55 I have been using the FE starter with no problems , but I am going to finesse the header  and could use a little more room there and also that starter may getting near it`s end.so this may be a good time to make a change .I am going to the PRI Show this Thursday and was hoping maybe a vendor may have a deal going but It would help to have a part # because they may get lost when I start talking a C/4 transmission behind a Y block in a 1960 Mercury. But I will see  Thanks

hjh - you might give flat-o a call.  he may have info on a mini  starter.


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

I would think that an FE mini-starter, particularly one that can be clocked, will work, as long as the gear included in the Flat-O kit is used. You must have long-tube headers.