So the deal is, I am finishing up the fresh rebuild of the 350. Basic machine work ie; hone and such. Now I have the starter back on to ops check the rotating assy and pump up the oil, and it take 1/2 inch worth of washers to keep the flywheel away from the starter snout, and forget about the gear mesh. Suffice to say, it spins over nicely now, but damn me thinks something is amiss......
Furthermore,
The flywheel is the 14088646 lightweight one. The starter is a CSK bought AUTOLIGHT 6316MS. It seemed to work well for the 2 years I had it running, but then again that was 2 years ago, and my memory can be crap at times. The motor is an '89 5.7 and t-5 setup. I am am gonna go count teeth next!!!Thanks

 

2-3 shims tops. Shims are to realign the teeth from the starter reman company milling a few thousandths off to true up the mating surface

Sounds like your starter and flexplate arent matched

 

Well, it turns out the parts monkey gave me a 6316-MS starter, when I needed a 6316-S. Don't know much more about the lettering but they sit about 3/8"' different. Also another parts monkey told me a line about needing the cross bolt mounted one, NOT THE STRAIGHT BOLT UP, because of the 158 tooth. "no man this is a guarantee", cost me another hour of down time. 1989 sbc+158 TOOTH RING (either flex or flywheel)=6316S
Good to go thanks