Engine Starter ring gear depth. 3/8 or 3/4 inch?

[92Rustang]

1992 gt with 5.0 and t5. Is starter supposed to be 3/8 or 3/4" ring gear depth? Have a mcleod flywheel coming and I don't want to ruin it. I saw write ups on how to measure it but I dont have it yet to install and want to order a starter meanwhile.. And I dont trust the starter I pulled out to be the correct one it was grinding like crazy and ruined the flywheel ring gear. (Brand new one from napa).. I want to order a new starter.

 

[Bullitt347]

IDK
Of all the times I have installed engines, transmissions, starters and done swaps from auto to manual and vice versa, I have never measured the engagement depth. And it has never been a problem.
I have swapped from stock starters to mini starter, both Ford and aftermarket and have not had an issue.
As long as the flexplate or flywheel had the correct number of teeth (157/164) I have never had a issue.
I have even not used the separator plate between engine/trans and had everything work fine.
Only time I have had starter engagement issues is on GM vehicles that use shims to space starter to ring gear depth. You chase that for a time or two to get it right.

 

[92Rustang]

IDK
Of all the times I have installed engines, transmissions, starters and done swaps from auto to manual and vice versa, I have never measured the engagement depth. And it has never been a problem.
I have swapped from stock starters to mini starter, both Ford and aftermarket and have not had an issue.
As long as the flexplate or flywheel had the correct number of teeth (157/164) I have never had a issue.
I have even not used the separator plate between engine/trans and had everything work fine.
Only time I have had starter engagement issues is on GM vehicles that use shims to space starter to ring gear depth. You chase that for a time or two to get it right.

New flywheel is 157 teeth. So do I need a starter for 157 tooth ? Does the 164 tooth starter not work ?

 

[Bullitt347]

New flywheel is 157 teeth. So do I need a starter for 157 tooth ? Does the 164 tooth starter not work ?

No.
But if the bellhousing is for 164 tooth, then that would be a problem.
The Bellhousing has to match the flywheel diameter requiremenmts.

 

[Rcdgl]

Confirm that bellhousing, flywheel/flexplate diameter, and block plate all have to match. Flywheel/flexplate balance must match damper style.