This starter can be clocked to any position. Loosen the two Allen screws, rotate the body, and tighten the screws back down with Locktight Blue.
The clocking feature was handy because, as delivered, the starter was about 3/8" from the header and about 1/2" from the engine block. Rotated it closer to the block and doubled the distance to the header.
Took it for a ride to heat the engine and, CRAP, still some kick back although this starter powers thru it better.
MUST be a timing issue. Instructions for the new starter calls for a minimum 9.6V at the starter when cranking. Its getting 10.2V so voltage is fine. Harmonic balancer slipped? Timing pointer not positioned correctly?
Pulled out the TDC checker. Its a collar that screws into the spark plug hole and a screw (on the right) that goes in to contact the piston near the top. Idea is you turn the engine in one direction till the screw contacts the piston and mark the harmonic balancer position. Turn the engine the opposite direction till contact is made again and mark the harmonic balancer. TDC is midway between the two marks.
The screw it came with got bent while checking the 347 in the Maverick. A 3/8 X 3" Grade 5 bolt from the hardware store makes a better replacement.
There's so much leverage on the screw with the piston near TDC, and a new engine is so stiff, even with all the plugs out, its hard to not put too much pressure on the screw. With the 3" bolt, the head sticks out where contact can be felt on the bolt while rotating the crank. And, the Grade 5 bolt will bend easier if contact is too hard.
TDC check showed the timing pointer is 2 degrees after TDC. So, the marks on the balancer will cause timing to be set 2 degrees more advanced than indicated. So, 14 degrees initial timing indicated is really 16 degrees BTDC. Kickback there isn't surprising. But I wouldn't expect a problem at 12 degrees (10 indicated) where its set now. I'll run a couple of tanks of 92 octane thru it at that setting and see how it goes.
The old starter goes in the trunk with the other spare parts.
Did our shopping, came out and when the car started it WOULDN'T IDLE!! Not good with the wife present. 
Then she informed me that the exhaust was blowing dirt all over behind the car. When parking I look for a place to run one end over a curb to avoid sticking out too far in the lot. One tail pipe was jammed in the dirt. 
Pulled out a little and no problem. WHEW!! Its interesting that even with an H-pipe, stopping one tail pipe caused such a fuss. 
the clutch that's on it now is yet another bad replacement part and the next one fixes the issue. Otherwise, its going to be a bigger deal.
Restarted after cancelling the appointment and no issue. 
