Starter Problems ...

[gjz30075]

So very often, the newer type geared starters struggle to engage correctly, by not travelling the requisit amount, stopping the internal copper contacts from making contact correctly, to start the spinning action.

I noticed that depending on where the engine stopped, the geared starter would sometimes engage ok, but other times would not, presumably, not engaging fully or enough, to close the internal copper contacts.

+1 for this. I experienced the same with a pre engage starter and it was always tense moment when
starting the car. I put up with this for several years and eventually went back to OEM starter. No problems
since and, I didn't have any problems before the change either. I changed the starter because that seemed
to be the thing to do, at the time. No weight savings either.

[h20hamelan]

I have fitted 1971 Pinto 1600 starter
NAPA Part #: NEU 244-4547
9 tooth, out of the box, and the size/width of the gear is very close

Tried the high torque, gear reduction.