[Neil E.]

I suggest you clean the outside of the bendix, cam it to full extension and wrap some tape around it to hold it open. Install it without the starter motor and see if you can verify the gear tooth engagement. Loose is better than tight.

Usually the bendix does not work well because the strong return spring slows it down. Alternately, if the gathering spring is tight, the cam weights don't let the assembly fling out for quick gear engagement. The bendix won't work at all if the gathering spring is stretched too far. I found that grease was also able to slow down the bendix. A light oil was better.

These thoughts are based on the older units and may not apply to your year. The bendix relies on a quick burst of rotation and requires a good battery to work reliably.