454 Starter Question

[mnunn454]

Scanned the search results and found mostly SBC starter issues, so sorry in advance if I missed the answer to my questions below.

I think I have a 168 tooth, externally balanced flex plate on my 454. The block is tagged as a 1987 "CE" which I'm told is counter exchange (basically a warranty replacement block). Last year the starter went out and I bought a rebuilt starter from NAPA. NAPA offered several starters for me to choose from, none of which were labled for my CE engine. So I bought the one for a 70 LS-5 454. It fit fine but made some mild gear meshing noise when it started. Adding startershims only made it worse. Last week that starter failed and I'm wondering what starter I should be looking for to fit my parts.

To make matters a little more confusing, I got under the truck Saturday to verify I had the 168 tooth flex plate. Counting teeth (from even with the block surface on one side to even with the block surface on the other (i.e. half of the full circle)) I counted 83 teeth. Doubling that puts me at 166 teeth, not 168.

It just so happens that the Pontiac 455 has a 166 tooth flex plate, so, did I miscount my 454's flex plate or do I somehow have a 455's flexplate on my 454? I don't think Chevy produced a 166 tooth flexplate, did they?

Also, once that's resolved, any suggestions on which starter would fit my CE 454 block?

Thanks all.