Could some tell me the difference if any, between a starter for an automatic vs manual...in front of me I have the starter for the automatic, but I am unable to get a good close look at the starter in my 86 loyale that fits on to a manual transmission to make any real comparison

I believe the starter differences are for 2wd and 4wd, with the 2wd having a longer housing.

 

I noticed this when I did my conversion.. my 2wd auto had a long bodied starter, and it wouldn't clear the vacuum module on my 4wd tranny.. thankfully my parts car had a wrecking yard starter in it with the shorter body.. fit right in.

 

BTW.. The starter I am using in my 5 spd car came from a 3AT car

Autos have a gear reduction starter, manuals don't. They will interchange though (with the exception of those with the vacuum module thinger) as I've had both in many of my subes.