Pinto Car Club of America

Hey, i was wondering if there is a difference between starters for manuals and automatics, and what i need to know is is there anything i have to do to get it to work in a manual engine converted to an auto tranny?  i keep taking it out, re-lining it up, and putting it back in.  but it doesnt start.  anything i need to do or need to know?  thanks

I dunno about the 2.3 but the 302 has a different starter for man. & auto. the maual has a longer snout (I don't care what they say at Advance & AutoZone) I had trouble with that in my '82 Capri 302 4spd. they kept giving me auto starters which finally ATE my flywheel by not going deep enough!

I remember when I was going to replace the starter on my wagon. My dads friend the Pinto guy, asked why I wanted to spend all that money? We took the starter out, removed the two screws that hold the gear housing onto the starter motor. Inside the "hole" that the shaft sits in there is a washer or two that keep the gear from going too far. Mine was worn out and was allowing the gear to move past the flywheel enough to not engage. He took the washer out and told me to get another from NAPA. It was about 35 cents. Put the starter together, installed it and it worked. He saved me $39.99.

I didnt really answer your ?? but, maybe if you mess with those washers it might work. ???