starter issues

[58villager]

hey all. just tried to install my (freshly rebuilt) starter on the bermuda wagon. seems the starter drive is in the engaged position,(drive teeth nearest to the starter body) keeping me from installing it. this has the  "reverse" starter drive (engages from the rear of the flex plate).anyone have this problem? can i use the later style starter without having to change flexplate? engine is FE (361),trans is FMX/MX.

[abe_lugo]

Easiest way is to use the FE starter. 

There are two types of starters one looks like it has a bunch of coins on the end the other looks like a bell.  The one with the coins can be retracted back using a bench grinder. 

The latter has to be taken apart and manually reset.  I had to learn to do it and made a special collar tool to do it. 

Check the spiral. If it's the fine spiral you have to take it apart. 
Large spiral. You can send two zip ties to reset it. 

Check YouTube for videos. 

[58villager]

hello abe. thanks for the reply. i am guessing that means there are no "factory" stock starters that will fit? seems i remember a post (maybe years ago) about having to change the starter drive ,but i believe that was referring to a manual trans?. got the drive reset after examining it further (and searching my memory,which takes a while when your as old as what you are working on). main concern is if it won't go in in the engaged position, how do you get it out if it fails while in the engaged position? thanks gerald

[abe_lugo]

Actually. FE starters are supposed to a fit so like a 390.  From what I understand. Can some chime in on this?
Check YouTube for ford starter drive fix. 
Like I said there are fine spiral and course spiral on the drive.  I think the trucks on the YouTube videos are only for the course spiral.