I put an 84 305 in my 84 camaro last year and used the 168 tooth flexplate which worked till i got headers that interfered with the starter. I have the 12.75" 153 tooth flexplate for the 84 camaro now but ive gone through 3 different starters from NAPA, the starter gear is only engaging into the flexplate gears about half way. I read an article somwhere saying a chevy used a starter with a slightly longer nose cone, i cant remember what the application for it was though. im thinking it was and early 70's 2WD pickup but im not sure.

Does anyone know what the application for this long nose starter is or where i could get one?

 

I'd suggest, start by getting the stock starter for a 84 Camaro; and go from there. Early 70s pickups used a 14" flex plate and a 3510 starter, same as about everything else from around 69 to 80. Probably that's the starter you had before: aluminum nose with 2 offset same-length bolts. That starter won't fit in a stock (for one of these cars) T-5 bell housing. Just get the right starter and be done with it. It'll be a MUCH smaller one with an aluminum nose and 2 different length in-line bolts.

 

Unfortunately the correct starter for the car only engages the flexplate 1/3 of the way and the last one ive got goes about half way into the flexplate. this is for a 700r4 by the way. is half way enough? I dont really trust it, seems like it would be asking to rip up my flexplate teeth.