Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - starter hitting the flexplate

ok so I swapped out my early 80's 2 peice seal non-roller 350 for a late 80's roller 350 with a 1 peice seal. The flexplate for both engines are the same diameter and amount of teeth. I was using a mini-starter on the old motor with no problems but when I went to install it on the new motor the gear on the starter sits inwards and would hit the back of the plate if I try to start it.

everyone is saying it should work but it does not, I did try both postions mounting on the starter and it did not help. I was going to shim it but I would need about a 1/4 inch and longer bolts and that just should not be.

I was told by a local speedshop that there are two other possible starters listed but they did not have them on the self for me to try out but they did show me one style of starter that had three bolt holts and not two and to check my engine. well I checked and it does have three holes but they are closed on sundays and will have to wait till next weekend when I am off from work to try it

has anyone else ran into this problem, if so all suggestions are welcome of yeah I have a 91 S10 but that should not matter

Well, sounds weird, i dont see what it wouldnt work, but at the same time, if you checkes both mounting positions, that just makes no sense.

Just shim it. Have the same issue with this jeep v8 swap i just did. And this is using all factory parts. I ended up using 5 3/8's washer and 1 .060's shim

is it possible the new block calls for a different starter

I seen a few with stagger bolts patterns, my uncle thought he had one sitting around for me to try but he could not find it

there is pretty much 2 starters. one with a straight bolt pattern and one with a crooked one. crooked is for big fly wheels. straight is for smaller flywheels. Thats about it

look like the staggered starter with 2 shims did the trick