Ok TR so here's the scoop:
-91 engine
-88 gearbox
-88 chassis

so the starter finally took a shit on me, and I had it replaced. I bought a starter for a 91 rx7, thinking that the starter teeth and the ring gear have to match up. SUPPOSEDLY when the starter was first installed it would crank right up, but now it sounds funny, like a harsh gear-to-gear noise and the motor cranks slowly. is there a discrepancy between model years and what starter to use? is my ring gear fucked?

thanks