Having difficulty with the starter motor in my mk1 cortina with a 1600... the starter is firing up, but isn't turning the engine at all.  Its like the starter is not even hitting the fly wheel!  The starter is the lucas type, brand new... wires are all good... there is power and the motor works externally... anyone out there had a similar problem?  Gearbox is the standard 4speed form the mk1 cortina.
 
Any help appreciated!
 
 
 

when you say "working externally", does that include the pinion flicking back towards the main body of the starter motor when it starts spinning?
 
And when you try it fitted, do you get a high speed whirring noise, or just a click?

I would be pulling it out, clamping the starter in a vice and applying power to make sure that pinion is moving as Robert said

thank guys... worked it out.  The whole 'teeth ring' on the flywheel had come off!  nothing to bite to!  it was lightened and tack welded back on at some stage.  
 
A