66mustangtodd

I found a 1965 mustang donor 289 engine with C4, I used the c4 for a tranny swap in my 1966 with 289 and 3spd manual. I removed flywheel and pilot bushing from my manual 3sp 289 crank and put on the small spacer and flex plate just like it came off the auto 289 donor. I rebuilt the C4 and everything mounted up fine. I am having problems with the starter draging and not disengaging from the flex plate as the car starts. I have tried both the manual and the auto starters, which measure the same, and according to napa should be the same part number. Both starters drag and don't clear the ring gear after starting. The newer model auto tranny starters off a 302 are to short and the nose hits the ring gear. Any help would be great.

lucasp

I heard you can install a spacer in between the starter and the engine to prevent the drag.

66mustangtodd

UPDATE!! The starters are different between auto and manual tranny in 66 and 65. I put a new auto tranny starter in and it still was draging, but not as much. I ended up puting in a .100" shim from dorman and now everything clears a it starts great.