Bendix Spring

[Howard]

Last weekend i went to move my truck and I was greeted with a fast-spinning starter motor not engaging the flywheel.
I removed the starter today and was not suprised to see a broken bendix spring.
A quick fish around in my boxes of shite revealed a brand spankin' new one... Same size, same thickness material, same amount of windings... but on closer inspection was found to be wound in the opposite direction.
Guessing that this would not work, I dug deeper & found the one I was after.
SO, the reason for this post...
1. Am I correct & the reverse-wound spring will not work?
2. As all engines (except Hyundai) to my knowledge spin the same direction, what would this be off??