AMC 401 starter problem

Pics, let me know if this works

You don't have a stock starter for a 401.  No 401 came with a starter that has the solenoid attached to it.  Only later Jeeps had that style and they did indeed have a different flywheel.  No 401s came in the later jeeps with gear reduction or permanant magnet starters.  If you have a later 1980s or early 90s starter then that is your problem.  You cannot use the later flywheel because they won't work with your 401.  You need an early style starter with no solenoid on it or a aftermarket mini starter actually made wor your engine.  

Edited by 69 ambassador 390 - Feb/09/2012 at 7:34pm

The slightly smaller one is most likely for a manual.  The cracked bell housing could be an issue as well as the lack of a block plate.  The plate is the register for locating the starter.  I'm sorry to say it but the engine needs to come out and have the block plate installed.  Note that there are two styles.  One is for an auto that has an inspection plate in it and the other is for a manual that does not.  You should be able to use either type. maybe somone on here knows for sure.  Can you post pics of the cracks?  That will help tell us what caused them.  It could be a bad engine mount or someone used solid mounts at all three places.  If running solid motor mounts, you can't run a solid trans mount.  May also have happened during installation by forcing things together with the bolts.  The block plate is also known as a shim plate and allows some movement for expansion and contraction between the engine and trans.  Without it they get stuck and that can break things.

Why do I have to remove engine for block plate if I already have trans and bellhousing out? Pics of cracks dont really show, the cracks are small. Here is the bellhousing. Both motor and tranny have rubber mounts but who knows what kind of abuse truck has been thru.

Thought so. Now Im looking for a bellhousing and block plate. Or should I weld the bellhousing I have? Resources for finding used parts? I found a housing on e-bay $130 + shipping. Fair $ ?