Fixed! I took the Bendix from the original dead starter and put it in the rebuilt starter and problem solved. The gears on the ford unit were beveled much more cleanly and every turn of the key engaged the flywheel perfectly.
Hey Folks, first post here! I have a 1970 Ford 3000 Gas. I recently split the tractor and flipped the ring gear due to damage from the bendix beating on the teeth several times when starting, due to it not engaging. Once it does engage, it cranks fine.
Now that it's flipped, I thought it would...