[Wayne Maybury]

You said that the first ring gear was missing teeth and the gear on the starter was all chewed up. Unless you are really unlucky, this should not happen. Typically a ring gear and a starter will last for a very long time.

Now the new starter will not remain engaged with for more than a couple of seconds. This sounds to me that there is some sort of a basic alignment problem. I seem to remember that Ford has several differnt flywheels. I also have a Lakewood bellhousing and I did quite a bit of research before buying my flywheel and clutch / pressure plate assembly. I have looked through my receipts but I cannot find the one for the flywheel. Is it possible that the flywheel is not the correct diameter for that bellhousing/starter combination?

Wayne