why can't I keep a starter in my 1985 Ford Ranger - Ford Forums

oldhorse · 04-10-2007, 20:05

We have a 1985 ranger and the starter makes a high pitched squealing noise when starting and only last a few months and quits working.Have changed out four starters in the past two years. We had replaced the flywheel a few years back and there appears to be no damage to the flywheel or starter, Any ideas would be helpful

mre_power · 04-11-2007, 01:51

maybe it is getting toooo much power?

ghettoo13 · 04-14-2007, 14:08

if you put a starter from a later 90's ranger with the 4.0 and an auto tranny , it should fix that problem.
check out more info on the ranger station forum
lots of problem with that starter on the 2.9's

oldhorse · 04-16-2007, 04:06

Thanks for the replies,
ghettoo13, I didn't mention that this Ranger is a 2.8 will the 4.0 still work on this engine?

thehamstack · 04-18-2007, 23:28

4.0 starter won't work on a 2.8 different engine family. Sounds like alignment problem to me.

oldhorse · 04-28-2007, 17:12

Thanks for the reply thehamstack, I think you may be right on the alignment. I always had my buddy do the installation of the starters as I have a back problem and have a hard time crawling around under something. I had him put the Ranger on ramps so I could get under there and have a look and by durn the starter does look cockeyed. I noticed the dust plate on the bellhousing appears to be bent. We are going to try and straighten it and see if the starter looks better. Thanks again. oldhorse

98svt · 08-11-2007, 21:53

Maybe it is a cracked bell housing.Been there.