the main difference is the tooth count, most automatics were 157 tooth count, and manual were 164, the flywheel ring gear tooth count can be either. when I did my, t-5 swap, I went with a 157 fywheel, so when I need another starter, I will need to get one for an automatic, most parts store counter people don't even know this. I believe 164 tooth takes a longer snout for the offset ring gear, and 157 tooth, typically automatic, is a shorter throw, so tooth count makes a difference!!
Well, I took the starter off, the teeth seemed to line up correct, but it was obvious that the flywheel was hitting them just barely. They do make shims for this (though they look a little bit universal, not an exact fit) but I shimmed it and it starts right up and purrs like a kitten! Thanks for all the help guys, I'm sure I'll need more! Chris
Nope. Flywheels for midsize Fords were usually the same tooth count as the automatics (157) The bigger cars and pickups normally got the 164 tooth flywheels and flexplates due to the heavier vehicles and the different torque demands asked of them. This was true for the 289 and 302. The 351's pretty much all got 164 tooth flywheels, no matter what they were installed in.
The block plate is sandwiched between the block and bellhousing, it can only be removed by separating the engine from the transmission. If it's not in there, that's your problem. The plate is what indexes the starter to the flexplate (or flywheel) without it, the starter has loads of "wiggle room" to get spaced too far away from the flywheel/flexplate
