Ok, so I have an '87 Camaro Z28 with a recent change to a 350.

I replaced a starter about six weeks ago and it just went bad. I went back to the store to get it replaced, and now the starter is within direct contact with the exhaust.

It is the same part number as the previous one. Any ideas as to what happened?

 

um yeah 1 guess.

They sold you the wrong starter. always compare you old part to the new one at the parts counter NO EXCEPTIONS no matter what the Computer or box says.

it may be the right starter but the motor may be "clocked" differently..

 

Same part number, looked the exact same at the store, don't have the old one because they needed it for the core charge, but they sure looked identical at the store

 

guess not.. if the new one hits the exhaust and the old did not.

try to go back and see if your core is still there. they may not have shipped it yet.
unless you are installing it wrong? it should go in the same way the old one came out.. if you are telling me it hits the exhaust AFTER you bolt it in place.. I would say you were sold the wrong part..

Does this car have headers? maybe the PO had a mini-starter and now you have the standard one.. that alone could be the problem.

You need a GM mini-starter 168 & 153 tooth. (napa part # 4N-5110)
The mini starter mounting bolts are unique in that they have a metric shoulder and SAE threads, but They can still be purchased from GM and are not expensive. If you re-use your old bolts you will have to shim them with washers because they will be too long.