yes. a starter made for the 168 tooth flywheel would not engage a 153 tooth flywheel.
What do you mean when you say it doesn't engage? Is the starter spinning but just doesn't catch to spin the engine? IF that's the case it could be as simple as a loose starter or as bad as a damaged flex plate/flywheel. But it would most likely be the starter.
If the starter spins but won't engage, then the Bendix is not engaging the flywheel. Remove the starter and test to see if the Bendix thrusts out, and check to see that the flywheel does not have chipped teeth.
if the starter is spinning but not engaging then the bendix (starter teeth) is not moving out to grab the flywheel teeth or the flywheel has some broken teeth. The starter needs to be removed to see what the issue is.
The starter drive has broken, replace starter.
This can be caused by a worn flywheel, or a bad starter drive. You'll need to remove the starter and look at the flywheel to see which is bad.
the starter bendix is bad or the flywheel it self has some teeth missing The Starter Bendix drive is not close enough to the flywheel. Reinstall the starter and check to see if there are shims that can be removed to place it closer.
Usually, the engine flywheel. A solenoid in the starter moves the starter pinion shaft forward (or backward depending on how it is mounted to the engine) to engage the outside edge of the flywheel (which has teeth to match the pinion gear).
thanks how many holding blots and where bad bendix (starter drive) if the spring in the starter bendix is weak or broken it will not engage the flywheel; but the starter will turn normally. bad thing is ,you have to pull the starter..good luck..
Assumeing it's the same starter, the bendix(the gear on the end of the starter that engages the flywheel)could be bad, and or the starter it self could be bad. sounds like number of teeth on new flywheel does not match number of teeth on starter. find out from mechanic that installed new fly wheel, how many teeth on flywheel if he doesnt know, a ford dealer can tell you from the part number on your receit. then ask how many teeth should be on starter to match fly wheel pull starter and count teeth
you will hear a loud screeching noise from where the starter is trying to engage with the flywheel...if these cogs are worn the starter will slip and make this noise.
It could be the starter drive, the solenoid, or the ring gear itself. Best to pull the starter out of there and see what's going on.