Technical Ford 390 starter problem

I have a '64 Ford 390 that used the long nose starter, but I think all 390s bell housings came with the bulge for that starter. I have to a mini starter but the one I got has a smaller diameter gear with 9 teeth. The original starter has 9 teeth also but a bigger pitch and bigger diameter. My guess is I have a 164 tooth flex plate. I don't want to pull the engine if I don't have to. Does anyone make a mini starter for the earlier flex plate gear?

 

What brand of mini starter?
Can you post a pic?

 

where did you get the starter from?

 

you will have to change the flywheel to the later style if you want to get away from the "pull" style starter

 

Yep, that's more fallout from the trans/bellhousing change Ford did in '65. You'll need a '65-up flywheel and I believe the matching bell, but you'll need to check that to make sure the starter is in the right place. The later bells don't have same 'bulge' as the early ones.

 

bummer.

 

Wahoo! Found a guy who makes a hi-tork starter for the early FE engines. Doesn't need the late model flywheel.

http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/fordyblock.html

 

I have one of his starters on my FE, high quality, great instructions, great tech support!