Rip It

I recently purchased a starter for my 86 951. It didn't have the correct bolts/studs for attaching the heat shield, it cautioned me as I have read of people getting starters with the wrong rotation. After pulling my starter out I noticed I could rotate the gear in only one direction, the replacement starter gear would only rotate in the opposite direction. With jumper cables I connected each to the battery and discovered I had purchased a starter with the wrong rotation. Luckily I didn't install and try to start my engine, I have visions of timing belt jumping teeth and bent valves, etc...
Are all 944/951 starters the same ???

KuHL 951

There are small body and large body starters. Many shops selling starters list them both as the same part number and they fit both 944 and 951. The 951 used the smaller body and a heat shield to prevent heat soak. I have a large body starter on both of mine. I ended up making my own heat shield for the 951 from a front brake cooling deflector...sort of McGuyver but it works OK.

Rip It

The last three digits of the part number on the one I orginally purchased was 109.
The last three of my small body type is 115. I just received the correct starter in exchange.

KuHL 951

If you had a starter that turned backwards you didn't get one for the 944 series or it was made built wrong. Wasn't some of the Golf FWD cars the ones that mounted facing the opposite direction but looked the same as a 944?

951Porschiste

Any pics of that heat shield in place?
Mine does not have one and maybe I could shamelessly copy what you've done if I saw a picture of your installation...

KuHL 951

Sorry no pics at the moment and I won't be jacking up the car until next weekend to get one. It's not pretty I can tell you that though.

Campeck

turning the engine over backwards wont do anything to harm the engine at all...it just wont start.