Review on TYC 1-03267 Ford Econoline Van Replacement Starter - High-Performance & Reliable Choice! by Jonathan Wilson

'97 F150 4.6L Ordered this as a late winter replacement - not sure if my starter was dead but wanted it handy to have. Mine was dead so I installed it (frozen bolt and bottom so I hauled it to the shop - sorry they didn't get a part but I asked them to order a $350 alternator , so I told them to use my part). I've had 5 occasions where this has given me problems. First was in May-June, then once in July. Rotate but don't retract or half retract and grind. Press another time, but nothing - tried after a couple of days, all right. It wouldn't start today - luckily I was at Harbor Freight - when I went back inside and bought a hammer and a remote start switch. ) So I just used a hammer - three powerful hits. I also tried bingo. I think the starter needs to be bypassed in the junction box. I got home, parked the truck, and tried again—half-pull—grind, then flick, then crank. The hammer will remain in the truck until this starter is replaced. Either way, tapping the launcher to get it working doesn't bode well. It's not like I drive this truck every day - I probably get less than 150/200 rpm on this starter, so its failure is a PITA. As is well known, these are not the costs of the part, but the effort involved in installing it. I will buy quality products made in the USA or remanufactured in the USA and I need to buy them for the first time.