Chevy 350 starter/flexplate issue

[CamaroAdam73]

Alright so i've been fighting with this engine for a few months now and im about to replace the flexplate for the 4th time and i've narrowed it down to why its chewing them up.

I noticed my starter has the "staggered mounting holes" which is common on the 163 tooth starters, but i have a 153 tooth flexplate, the 168 tooth won't fit, wrong bolt pattern/size.

Is it possible that i have the wrong starter? i've tried shimming this thing and it only makes it worse.

 

[pokertramp]

I had that problem, come to find out the starter that was in there when I got the car was from a 327 chevy. You would have to check the block codes in front of the pass. side head to see what year and stuff your engine is from, then get the starter for that.

 

[megaladon6]

you use the starter for the flexplate. if you had them wrong it wouldn't even be close. i did that on mine, well i tried to do that. that's why i know it can't be done. 😳
first, have you measuered the space between the teeth? it should be about .035in. have you had the block align honed? this raises the crank centerline and you often have to cut down the starter mounting block. is the starter bendix fully extending? is the mounting pad straight and level? are the mounting bolts bent? are the bolts the right length?

 

[custom442]

The old flexplate should tell the story. Are the teeth worn more than half their depth? -- are the teeth worn over 50% of their depth, toward the center of the flexplate from the outside, not from front to back (of the car)

Seems to me the starter bendix would be shot if you spaced it too close, so I don't think that's the culprit.

Suggestion - get a starter that works on both sized flexplates and shim accordingly. You can find decent ones for under 100$

 

[78mali350]

not sure if this is along the same lines but when we put in the new motor and trans a match to what was original on that starter would not work I had to switch to a mini starter to make everything match up