Starter install woes....

[Jon Scully]

I have a 1971 Chev BLazer-- 350ci- 4spd manual-4x4. Truck oh my dreams--
But I just purchased it, and have a dead solenoid....could not find a solenoid locally -- so bought a replacement starter-- Champion # 019-5759-4


The one that came out was casst iron nose--- so that is the one i bought.

The problem I am having is that I cannot line up the upper two bolts (lower one goes in fine--as the hole is abit larger to help align the rest)--

1) There seems to be no way to start them correctly. The Starter seats correctly, and I have already auged out the cover plate_shim to ensure I am not hitting that.....still no dice......

The advice I am looking for is whether one should buy replacement bolts to re-install.....or if there are a range of starter noses that I may hav the wrong one....

I have been doing mechanics for years.....worked in a shop all the way through school and have never had such a hard time on such a small job! Any advice would be good.....

Thanks--

Jon