Starter & Flexplate Stuff

[Rich72C10]

I been having starter problems. 1st it was my nosey neighbor telling me my starter didn't sound right (he is a diehard chevy guy). So I got a ACDelco Gold (3361822) from RockAuto Feb 2021.

Then late last year this starter actually sound like it was flying apart and couldn't turn the motor over. So I just assumed I needed a replacement, which RockAuto was happy to send me a replacement.

Then less than 50 starts later the replacement started to make the same sound/not being able to get the engine started. This time when I dropped the starter down, I put it back up with outside shims. I torqued the starter bolts to 35 foot pounds and then installed the proper rear GM starter bracket. This lasted even less time before it started to make a little grinding sound. At this point I decide I am an idiot and I am just going to take it to a dedicated Starter shop (that is highly recommended).

So starter shop summary (which swears I shouldn't need shims):

1. Tried to file down the deck (for no shims), did not help at all.
2. Ended up with 4 shims, problem fixed.
3. Teeth on flexplate are banged up a little bit but he feels the starter will clear that up and it will likely sound even better.
4. The flexplate isn't 100% true, has a bit of a wobble but he has seen a lot worse that don't cause a problem.

I swear there was too much distance between the tooth and valley of the flexplate. Like double the space of a paperclip and that is with no shims. I'll be pulling the dust cover this weekend because I want to seen how the teeth line up and the shaft to the top of the plate!

Now I have a question: for a 72 C10 350 with a TH350 Auto Transmission and the starter has an Offset bolt (diagonal) pattern - what is the stock flexplate?

I think it is (and suppose to be) a 168 tooth flexplate. But the shop thinks (says looked up) for a 72 C10 it suppose to have a 153 tooth flexplate.