Spacer Plate Between 390 and Cruise-o-Matic

[kbuhagiar]

Hello Folks,

I am a longtime Ford gearhead but I just recently acquired my first FE engine, a factory 390 as installed in my new (to me) 1962 Thunderbird Convertible. I have questions about the spacer plate installed from the factory between the engine and Cruise-o-Matic transmission. Apparently a previous owner decided it was an option and neglected to install it.

I wouldn't have noticed except for the persistent starter noise and the missing flywhell inspection plate.

So, how necessary is this plate? I have been told by some other Tbird experts that it is necessary for correct converter and starter engagement, and I have to admit that seems to make sense. Nonetheless, this is one headache I would just as soon avoid, if possible.

So, assuming that I need one, would it be OK to split one in two halves to simplify installation? This way I could just slide the transmission back instead of completely removing it.

Your thoughts and observations are greatly appreciated.

[thatdarncat]

The spacer plate for the FE started in the 1963 model year, before that the starter was located by the bellhousing. If your T-Bird FE, Cruise-O-Matic & starter are all original it didn’t originally have one. Ford changed the bellhousing design starting in the 1963 model year, and it is necessary to have on a ‘63 & later. I don’t know if the earlier style starter will work with one, or if anyone has ever tried it.

[thatdarncat]

The early ‘58-‘62 FE with the old style starter used a seal on the starter where it goes into the bellhousing, does yours have the seal? Here’s a diagram from the Ford Parts Book. The same seal was used on Y-Blocks & early MEL engines, this just happens to be a Y-Block diagram. Maybe the guys with early FE’s can tell us how important that seal is to locating the starter? The Ford part number of the seal is C2AZ-6436-A.