simple: Measure ring gear edge to mounting flange. Compare to these fugures---- retracted gear is 7/8 (22mm) past flange (your ring gear should sit deeper than this off the block but not much) . Fully extended gear is 1 3/8 (34mm) past flange for a drive width of ~1/2 inch (18mm). Your ring gear should be somewhere in the >7/8 (22mm) range for the starter gear to engage. This is assuming the starter actually bottoms out in the receiver and the flange is sitting on the trans flange. This particular starter has been used and I notices that the inside tooth edge has a wear mark on it, or actually overshooting the ring gear? Never made any strange noises and always engaged. The 66-69 Hemi 4-speed direct drive starter was different for some reason, probably the manifolds. notice no nub on end.
View attachment 1715713851
