'87 Civic starter motor wont work

At wits end. Tried rebuilt, and now a brand new replacement starter motor..will not work. Spins just fine, will not engage. All teeth are intact, no grinding, just a whirring, shimmying sound. Battery just fine. The starter acts just fine when out of the engine. Seated properly, not a rebuilt engine, 240,000 Km on it. Any thoughts on this matter will be most appreciated...as will my wife...her car..:)

Maybe you already covered this, but I know an engine like the 300CID in my pickup you have to buy the correct starter for a manual or automatic - there is a difference. Maybe you simply have the wrong starter.

Maybe you already covered this, but I know an engine like the 300CID in my pickup you have to buy the correct starter for a manual or automatic - there is a difference. Maybe you simply have the wrong starter.
Really appreciate the reply, had not thought of this. Is there a "surefire" way to identify/get the correct starter?...I do not have original...?

From the little searching I've done on the net, there is two different PNs for manual vs. automatic for my '85 Civic. I expect the same for yours. A GOOD parts store should be able to direct you to which one to buy for a manual vs. automatic starter. I don't know much about Hondas, but usually there is a difference in how far the starter gear protrudes into the bellhousing.

if the starter is spinning, it might not be spinning fast enough. Could be the wrong starter, or your batt is dead.

is the soleniod new as well? if it is just spinning, then it might not be engaging which would also cause that problem. I dont know if there is a fuse for the solenoid, but that would be your best bet, or maybe the teeth on the flywheel. Hope this wasnt pointless and helped! :icon16:

No fuse for the solenoid, I think new ones are one unit with the starter. Definatly check your teeth, and not the ones in your mouth.