Flywheel ring gear orientation problem?

The previous owner of this engine (18G 3 bearing)seems to have installed the ring gear with the wrong side to the rear. The MGA/B starter engages from the rear but this one was installed with the factory trims of the teeth to the front. The rear shows the ware from the collision of the MG starter rear entry. Image is attached

Am I correct in the thinking that the gear is wrong or is it the way it is supposed to be? I replaced the ring gear on my 1500 engine with the machined reliefs to the rear.

What is your opinion of the situation, is it worth replacing the ring gear? Or just live with it? (It is a lightened MGB flywheel.)

The engine is a 1800 I am rebuilding for eventual placement in my 59 1500 MGA. In the meantime I am driving and enjoying my 1500.

PS: The DPO had several things that were done in his previous "rebuild" including a loose wrist pin bolt and ending up damaging a cylinder wall.

Thanks

Jim

I think that no matter which way the bevels face, it's gonna wear out eventually with the old bendix starter. Just look at my avatar! I say leave it and use it up.

Geez Jim
Flip that sucker!! I did mine! of course, ya gotta have the engine out, pfft!
Cajun

Boy, it looks rusted. I'd wire brush it back to cleanliness first and then, if it still looks servicable, do as Jim and Dean recommend. Even installed backwards it looks a helluva lot better than the OE one on my BGT did before I replaced it. That old one I replaced was well on its way to looking like the one Jim shows in his avatar, but yours looks pretty decent and worthy of reuse. If you don't know how or have the gear to flip it yourself, a machine shop can do it for you for not much money. And, if you are putting in a new clutch anyway, they can do it at the same time as they resurface your flywheel.