Hello. I have a 94 tempo with a 2.3l motor. I have just had it machined and overhauled I put it all together than I tried the starter and the ring gear just barley . makes contact with starter. did I put the flex plate in backwards? has this happened to any one? one thing I haven't tried is turning the motor by hand one more stop. the motor is loose. I am not looking forward to removing the transmission to flip the flex plate.

 

I believe you are not able to install the flexplate backwards, the ring gear could hit the engine. Bolt pattern probably won't allow that either.
If you remove the tie from the solenoid to the starter motor when the starter relay is energized you should be able to see just how far the starter drive really goes into the ring gear, that may help get a better idea of just what is happening.

 

Ok Hanky. I will check it out and may check one at the wrecking yard. its like the old chev 6 cyl I have some times the solenoid gets stuck. let you know tomorrow thanks for the advice