Posting this for my dad.

1994 Automatic 4x4 F-150 302.

On the 4th starter in about 50k miles. Had the orgional starter rebuilt twice, then bought the ol' parts store reman twice. All of them failed rather quickly. Smacking them with a hammer seems to help a bit when they start to go, but it eventually gets to the point where it just clicks once, then nothing.

Is this a known issue? Is there a heavier duty starter available? Would getting a new OEM Ford starter be the best/longest lasting option?

Thanks in advance!
-Mike Cochran

 

I had an '88 with the 302 and I installed 6 starters in 9 years. I tried high-dollar as well as cheapo and it didn't matter. I did 3 in one year once, just kept returning them and getting new ones. Finally got a good one and it lasted the final 3 years I owned the truck.
Just get it from a store with a lifetime warranty on their starters. Laminate the receipt and keep it in the glovebox. Good luck.

 

Just a thought and you may have done this. The single wire connector on them will sometimes fail. They will get green and green is not good. Some replacements are coming out with a bolt on replacement pigtail and does away with the push on connection. Like I said just a thought. Good luck!!!!
F96XLT