Replacing Starter And Coolant Pipe Gaskets 2000 AC SR5 4.7

Well crap. For about a week when starting notice my truck intermittently making a brief noise when starting similar to what people do when clearing their throats. Today, went to go for a drive and it made that noise and then would not start. Starter now freewheels without engaging flywheel. It's the original OEM starter on my 2000 AC 4.7. I replaced the contacts and plunger about 150K ago and it now has 255K miles. Hoping it's the starter bendix and not the flywheel. Ordered a new Denso starter motor and all the gaskets for the intake and water pipes from the Rock. Plan to tackle next week if it's not so Africa hot here (truck is stuck on my driveway and has morning shade only). More to follow...

 

Put a socket/ratchet on the crank to rotate the motor a little, then try and start it again. If it catches and starts, then you know its missing a tooth or something.

If it doesn't then it's probably the starter.

 

Began disaaembly after work. Got a couple hours work done and then got chased away by a thunderstorm. Going slow and taking lots of photos.

 

Did turn the crank over to see if starter would catch on different area of flywheel. It still freewheeled so I’m guessing the flywheel is ok. Will take a look once the starter is out.

 

well the starter had definitely grenaded. The new Denso from RA has a slightly different back of the motor but looks like it should fit. According to my VIN I don’t have the cold weather package. Not sure.

 

Teeth on the flywheel ring gear have some small dings but appear serviceable

 

Cleaned everything up but unfortunately the connector on the starter trigger wire crumbled from 25 years of heat. Same thing happened to the grey temp sender and evac switch connectors so I ordered some new ones and have to wait to repin starter wire before installing starter

 

Ouch. Almost looks like the bendix got stuck out or bounced out and got put in check by the flywheel.

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@shifty` - the entire shaft was separated from the motor. Never seen such a failure. Oh well, it gave me 250,000+ miles of good service and I needed an excuse to pull the intake to do the crossovers which both had slow weeps. I only wish I had ordered some new connector for the starter and knock sensors ahead of time. 25 years in the south takes its toll on rubber and plastic.

 

Success - got it all back together, no leaks, no codes, runs well.