working on a 87 f150 with a 5.8 auto , starter went bad so got new starter , parts store took old starter as a core , is there a difference between a standard trans starter on one for an auto trans?? new one doesnt seem to engage the flywheel the e teeth on starter are just touching the flywheel teeth any ideas or help would be appreciated

 

Two different starters, you have the wrong one.

 

A manual trans. starter has 9 starter drive teeth.
A auto trans. starter has 11 starter drive teeth.

 

thanks for the help, is the manual starter shorter by a little bit??

 

I believe the nose cones are a different length.
The manual trans. starter is around 1 3/4 inches.