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[6622n54]

I have just bought a 1971 TR6 knowing that the starter did not run. I found some connection issues and got the starter to run. The starter will run when the key is turned but the engine will not turn over. I was concerned that the engine was seized, it sat for five years, but I can turn the engine over by putting it in gear and pushing on the car. I took the starter into an auto store to make sure that the gear on the starter is moving into postion when powered up. When the key is turned the starter sounds like starters sound when the key is turn and the engine is running. Except that my engine is not.

[TR3driver]

One possibility is that the ring gear on the flywheel has moved/worn until the starter gear no longer meshes with it.

But I'm not sure I understand your comment about the sounds ... if the starter is not turning the engine then the sound should be quite different.  Instead of the usual RRrrRRrrRRrr sound, you would get more of a whining/moaning noise, as the starter will turn much faster than normal without the load of the engine, plus probably some grinding noise as the gear teeth will likely be touching enough to make a racket.

Perhaps you've actually fixed the starter problem, and now need to move on to why the engine won't start?

[6622n54]

The starter sound like when one turns the key when the engine is already running.

[TR6Rich]

So you hear grinding as if the fly wheel is already in motion. Pull the starter and use a light to look at the flywheel. Inspect the gear/teeth to make sure none are missing or worn. Use chalk to mark each area inspected. Pull the plugs and turn the engine manually until you look at it all. If it all looks OK then your starter gear is most likely worn.

[TR3driver]

I agree.  Another possibility might be if the pivot pin inside the starter has gone AWOL.