Be sure to read ALL of this post:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...y+bell+housing
Do you have the little "L" bracket that bolts to the back of the starter and the oil pan in place? This helps support the starter for correct alignment. Looks like this:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...acket&_sacat=0