350 crusader starter install problems

[Greenhornchris]

I have an 89 carver 3207 and the port side starter went out , it's a 350 crusader and my dad ordered it the one that came spins the wrong way I found one local and with the old one matched it up on the table made sure that it spins the right way and bought it . I kept the other one figuring the other engine will need it anyways at some point. So put the starter in and it turns an awful sound almost like when you try and start a car that's already running. We took it out and inspected it and a little ring at the end of the snout part was damaged from the ring gear hitting it. We put it in twice same result and I'm completely perplexed I don't understand how this is possible after matching it so thorough. Any ideas on how I could save this part and use it I've put so much work into this boat and this is kinda the last big thing I think to get it really so I can use it when I want. I'm a total amature with all of this I have friends who are mechanics helping me as I learn. Any advice or ideas would really help, messed up my 4th of July I wanted to use the boat.

[km1125]

Is it actually a marine starter? If the flywheel is hitting that bushing then it likely also won't mesh properly with the starter gear (bendix drive), as I believe the inner diameter of the teeth are the same as that bushing.

[Greenhornchris]

Ya its a marine starter I got it from a marine store, and I know the guy that sold it to me he said he would take it back my concern is we matched it up with the old one perfectly and I have the other ordered one brand new and it's identical , he still has the old one my worry is it's something else going on.

[bud37]

Can you see if the ring gear has any damage ? Was it making grinding noises before the old stater failed ?

[Greenhornchris]

It wasnt making any grinding noises before no it just sounded normal , I don't know if I'll be able to see the ring gear I'm gonna get in there tomorrow and see. It's just really strange I'm going to take a picture of the one I put in there and was damaged