Early Bronco Starter Upgrade
By Todd Zuercher
How many of you like to change your starter? Do you like to hold that bulky cylinder up to the engine until your bicep burns while you get that starter bolt threaded in? If you do, then this article isn't for you. However, if you're like the rest of us that don't like to pretend we're an octopus on steroids, there is a solution.
Ford changed to permanent magnet, gear reduction starters starting in 1992. You don't need to understand how the electrical components work. The important thing to know is this style of starter weighs less than half what the old direct drive starters do and they come in a much more manageable package as well. The main starter body is much smaller in diameter than the old style and it's topped with a small engagement solenoid that moves the engaging shift lever to engage the reduction gear.
For those of you with automatic transmissions, the Part Number you'll want is F7SZ11002AARM. This application is for a ’92-’93 Mustang with the 5.0 and an automatic tranny. For manual tranny'd folks, the p/n is F2TZ11002A. This part is for a ’93 Ford F150 with the 5.0 and a 5 speed manual transmission.These starters use less current than the old style so they should last longer and your vehicle will be easier to jump start too.
Note Huge Size Difference: the gear-driven starter (LEFT) weighs less than half as much as the dinosaur you're probably using now.
Installation is a snap. Simply unbolt the old starter and bolt the new one in its place. On the starter solenoid, move the starter cable from its current location to the constant hot terminal(where the battery cable hooks up). Add a 10 gauge wire from the stud where the starter cable formerly resided and after installing a 1/4" blade terminal on the other end, plug it into the blade terminal on the solenoid. Add a dab of silicone to seal it up and you're done.
These starters do cost more than the old style starters. A brand new one from Ford Racing Parts (formerly Ford Motorsport) runs nearly $300. Remanufactured ones from the dealer run about $150. You can purchase one at a chain auto parts store for even less.
Note How Much More Awkward The Old Starter Is to Fit With Huge size and bulky Solenoid projecting out the side.
Special thanks to Steve Mavros of the EBML for researching the manual transmission starter information!!
