70 Chevy starter/exhaust clearance

[70ChevyCST]

Hello all,
I'm still messing with this heat soak problem on my 1970 Chevy CST-10 (with a 1974 350, auto, stock exhaust manifolds). I tried to install the new starter that I just purchased (with the stainless steel heatshield on it pictured below) last night but the heat shield will not clear the exhaust pipe.



After giving up on the heat shield and installing just the starter...I stuck my forefinger in between the closest point between the starter and the exhaust pipe. My finger fits in there but stops at the second knuckle (~.600") Can someone out there tell me if this is normal or not? I know the starter is normally close to the exhaust but this is real close! I'm wondering if the previous owner has extra large pipes on it or something...or maybe the pipe should take an immediate bend away from the starter?...It can't go very far away though because the truck's frame is right there...I've bought a FORD starter solenoid and I 'm going to do the wiring conversion...but I'd still like to shield the starter body from all that heat...Any help whatsoever is appreciated..Thanks guys,
Bob