Stock 427 galaxie exhaust manifolds and starter fitment issue

[JKralovich]

This is my first time posting anything on the Forum, I have a 1963 Galaxie with a 390 4 speed and just installed a set of the 427 exhaust manifolds. I originally had a set of crites headers but they ate too much pavement. The issue I'm having is that the powermaster XS starter will not fit behind the 427 manifolds. I have a quicktime bellhousing and don't believe that the stock starter will fit. Ive tried later year stock starters and they do not fit either. Has anyone else had this problem or know of a starter that would fit the bellhousing and headers. Worst case scenario I have an old MT bellhousing that would work with a stock 1963 starter, but I'm trying to avoid taking everything back out.

[thatdarncat]

I have a couple sets of '63-'64 long branch cast iron headers. I don't have them on a vehicle, but I supplied  them for Jay's dyno tests a few years ago. I remember us looking them over at the time for clearance issues with the '65 and later stock Ford starter and I don't believe we saw any. Jay uses a Lakewood bellhousing on his dyno though I think. One set of manifolds had been modified on the back side of a tube, but if I recall we determined it was a mystery why, it wasn't near the starter. Hopefully someone will chime in with a definate answer for you. I have no experience with the Powermaster starter, why do you think the later stock one won't fit?

[jayb]

Welcome to the forum.  Your problem is a puzzler.  Obviously the stock 427 cast iron exhaust manifolds would fit with the stock starter on a stock car, and the bellhousing you have can't be repositioning the starter because then it wouldn't engage the flywheel.  So the stock starter really should fit.  Failing that, if you got one of the "clockable" aftermarket starters (Powermaster 9506 or 9606 or a Robb McC starter), you should be able to rotate the starter/solenoid around to make it fit the manifolds.

FYI the more expensive XS Torque Powermaster starter is not "clockable", but the cheaper one is, at least according to the Summit web site.  Go figure...

[rcodecj]

This is my first time posting anything on the Forum, I have a 1963 Galaxie with a 390 4 speed and just installed a set of the 427 exhaust manifolds. I originally had a set of crites headers but they ate too much pavement. The issue I'm having is that the powermaster XS starter will not fit behind the 427 manifolds. I have a quicktime bellhousing and don't believe that the stock starter will fit. Ive tried later year stock starters and they do not fit either. Has anyone else had this problem or know of a starter that would fit the bellhousing and headers. Worst case scenario I have an old MT bellhousing that would work with a stock 1963 starter, but I'm trying to avoid taking everything back out.

On my car I switched from a factory starter to a powermaster and the powermaster clearly did not fit correctly. What I found was that my block had casting flash around where the starter bolted on that cleared the stock starter but did not clear the powermaster. You would think with the powermaster being smaller it would have fit. Anyway I just got in there with a carbide grinder and smoothed off the casting flash. Maybe not your problem but I thought I'd mention it.

Edit: Whoops, I did not notice that you have tried stock starters when I posted.

[mmason]

The XS is clockable

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/900_clocking_inst.pdf

[jayb]

The 9506 XS Torque starter is clockable; the 19506 XS Torque starter is not.  I have one of the 19506 starters and you can't clock it.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-9506/overview/make/ford

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-19506/overview/make/ford

[mmason]

Sorry, should have read your post more closely.

[fe66comet]

I ran into an issue where a stock ford starter did not fit, I changed the front cover to the one that came off and bam went right on. Why I do not know but the replacement looked the same just would not fit the pilot hole in the bell housing as the one that came out did..

[JKralovich]

Thanks for all of the advice. I have the clockable style starter. The stock starter will not fit because it is the pull style and the quicktime bellhousing does not have the clearance for it. Again thanks for the advice. There is some casting slag that may be in the way, Ill let you know how I make out.

[rcodecj]

Thanks for all of the advice. I have the clockable style starter. The stock starter will not fit because it is the pull style and the quicktime bellhousing does not have the clearance for it. Again thanks for the advice. There is some casting slag that may be in the way, Ill let you know how I make out.

I hope that's it, it's an easy fix.

[Ididntdoit]

why not just use a '65 up starter? the pull style wouldnt work with your flywheel anyhow (assume the mini-starter uses the later tooth flywheel)