its a 5.0 Explorer engine with a mustang flywheel.. attached to a M5OD Trans..

the starters looks like they are too short and reach the flywheel .. do i need a longer starer or what?? a mustang starter?? or wth??

how does a mustang starter looks like will it work??

here are some pics of the starter..

its a starter for a smallblockford 5.0 or 4.9 with manual trans

 

i was having some probs also with my starter. just so you know they dont bite the whole gear. about half or so. does it grind when you start it. if not then youre good. just know that it doesnt have to bite the whole gear and wont.

 

You're gonna have more problems than that without a block plate in there.

 

lemme say it again.. the starter just spins free! when i turn the key.. so the gear isnt reaching the flywheel.. and its not a bad starter i saw the gear go forward and not reaching..

 

found the problem.. damn YOU SUMMIT!!!!

they have listed under 1989 F150 5.0 manual a 157 tooth flywheel and i didnt know better so i bought that one.. and my truck uses a 164 tooth flywheel!!!..
thats why the starter spins freely the flywheel is too SMALL!!
damn!!.

 

glad to hear you got it figured out.