That's what I noticed too, the same time the clunking sound happens, the starter jumps outward and away from the flywheel...Are the bolts to the starter tight? Looks like the starter moves around too much.
If it is lose it pivots at an angle and binds up trying to back out of engagement. The most movement seems to be when the gear is trying to disengage.
Could be a damaged fly wheel too.Starter isn't loose, it didn't budge when I tried to shake it around...
No brace, but I removed the shims and it starts up correctly now. I had 4 shims wedged up there...I would try a shim and also see if it has this brace. All GM 2 bolt starters came with some kind of brace like this.
View attachment 182508
Various GM starter braces from the junkpile.
View attachment 182518
Glad you got it working. Starts faster too I’d imagine hehe.No brace, but I removed the shims and it starts up correctly now. I had 4 shims wedged up there... View attachment 182865
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