Hey

I have the t5 trans and im running a mini starter I got from NAPA. The thing was like 180 something bucks if I recall correct.

Ever since day 1 its been hit or miss. In the winter time its about 80% reliable in the summer its about 40% reliable. Ive had it about 2 or 3 years now and its hasn't got any better or any worse.

Typically after its been run and the car sits for over 3 minutes it will fail to crank the engine over you turn the key and it goes click. The solution its to put it in Reverse or 3rd and push it a few feet then dump the clutch. By myself this typically is not sufficient for an inertia restart but cracks the engine loose enough (I guess who the hell knows why it really works) that hitting the key immediately afterwards allows the starter to crank the engine over.

I tried using starter heat-sheild that made no difference. I simply think its a crap starter.

What can I replace it with. My 20 dollar stock starter never missed a beat.

I want a gear driven one!

Is there a gear driven starter that will work with my t5 and shorty headers?
If this is out of the question then what other starter will work and not dick me around like this one has?

Thanks guys!

-Gun

 

You know man, I don't know about gear driven but I am running a chrOME orielly starter from a 85 5.0 with manual and it does just fine.
Only time I had an issue was when I was installing my no2 and got some backlash and blew it to pieces. But bell, they warrantied it. And it was $34.00

 

Hi,
Since your "rocking" motions tends to improve it's likely hood of cranking, have you considered pulling the starter to look for any unusual teeth wear? That is, perhaps, the teeth clearance (jambing) is too close after it warms. Are we to assume there is no problem cranking when cold? It may just need a spacer?
Good Luck!

 

I just used a stock starter when I had my 302 T5 setup in the 67.

 

there is a shop in town that sells starters they have adapters to use toyota mini starters iirc...they crank over anything

 

Slow- I was unaware that a stock starter work work with the t5. I was told that I had to use the mini starter because of clearance issues i think. Although I dont recall actually verifying this I just ordered the starter form napa.

Kenash- I havent pull the starter recently. It is much more likely to successfully crank the engine when the engine is cold.

Now it should be noted that the battery I have is nearing the end of its useful life and im sure this is playing a roll. Again this was an issue that has plagued this starter since day 1 and that battery was good back then. I guess I was just hoping that someone found a gear driven starter or high torque starter I could look into.

The toyota starter sounds unique...no one has to know right....

 

So with the t5 what starters will fit?

Tooth count? what else do I need to know?

 

SO I think im going to get this one

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-11000-B51/.

Says it must use firewall solenoid. Doesnt this one work like my napa mini starter with the solenoid built onto the starter?

-Gun

 

Yeah I never bought an aftermarket starter. One was an OE 67 starter for the I6 and then an OE one for a fox body when I put in the 302 and used the late model bellhousing.

 

update.

I got the ford racing FMS-M-11000-B51.

It absolutely dominates. Hot engine sitting in a 110 deg day in Ca... vapor locked cylinders...heat soak... on a practically dead battery... The FMS 11000 doesn't care it doesn't give a ****.

-Gun

Good investment I recommend it to anyone who hates their mini starter.