I just recently purchased a 1987 Ford Bronco-- previous owner has put in a 5.0 L engine from a Mustang GT about a year ago. Also, previous owner put a new starter on the day before I bought it. Here is my problem--- 20% of the time, it will start fine-- other 80% of the time, grinding sound--- this Bronco has a button to push to start it, turn key on- push button.
When I got the oil changed, of course it would not start-- so the worker there explained to me that the fly wheel s teeth were ground down, needed to be replaced. He moved it a little with a pipe, and it started. My son works on cars, so he said he would replace the fly wheel. But first, he wanted to make sure this new starter was right. So, he looked up the numbers, the new starter matched up to be for a Mustang GT 5.0 L, but the numbers for a 87 Bronco starter was different. So we went to Auto Zone, explained it to the clerk, he sold us the 87 Bronco starter which looks just like the other one, but numbers were different. So, after my so put it on, it started fine 4, 5, or 6 times. Then back to the grinding sound and just spinning. So he was sure now it had to be bad teeth on the flex plate, got inside the trans- and said the fly wheel looked just as good as the new one we had bought.
Now , what is the problem--- is the starter not lining up right-- spacers needed- what can we do to fix this.
Thanks,
Randy

Sounds like the starter is sitting too far back or a tooth mismatch. To the best of my knowledge, Ford doesn't have spacers, GM's do. You may need to have an adapter plate or workaround for mismatched starters.

Sounds like the starter is sitting too far back or a tooth mismatch. To the best of my knowledge, Ford doesn't have spacers, GM's do. You may need to have an adapter plate or workaround for mismatched starters.

Well, everyone told me told auto zones rebuilt starters are no good, so I went and bought my third starter, this time from o'reillys. Started right up for 2 days, no promlem, then out of no where- just the grinding sound. Will not start at all now. Some grinding, but mainly sounds like the starter just spinning, not engaging--- we just cannot figure this out--- HELP!!