Crazy (imo) starter bolt theory. Keith we need your input

[bluex]

This was a question/scenario I saw posted today on the book of faces:

For some reason my starter sits too far from my flexplate. Tried different starters. All same problem. Then I found this

Any GM technicians in here that can confirm?

You have a block with The Problem, wherein the starter bolt holes are too far from the crank. About 25% or 33% of 70s Chevy blocks have it; BB, SB, and 6-cyl. 1 gang-drill machine at the foundry was effed from about 71 to about 79, out if the 3 or 4 that they had (hence, 25% or 33%; not 30%, 36%, etc.) You have no idea how many cars and trucks have been scrapped for that. The whole non-existent "heat soak" myth got started that way. Bet you got it as a running short block for too cheap from somebody that seemed too eager to get rid of it for some excuse that didn't make much sense?

The block is permanently fornicated, and has been from the day it was born. There's not really any way to repair it.

The regular starter is part # 3510.

Find part # 4347 instead. It moves the starter shaft inboard about .100" from where the 3510 puts it. It will require different bolts but those are available in the Help! aisle. It was the factory's "solution" to the millions of defective blocks out there, but was only made readily available to fleet customers (taxi co.s, police depts, etc.)

I work in the auto industry now (since 2005 actually) an I dont see this as a viable explanation to this problem. I know things weren't as strict in the 70s as now but this just goes against all the reasons why automakers use assembly lines....