Finally got my engine into my 94 - All I know is the block is a 95+ but was told it's from a 96 SS Impala (aluminium heads so no...) Anyway, I don't really care what it's actually from everything else lined up but now my starter won't engage - Is it possible I need to shim from one block to another? I haven't had to shim a starter in years. When I hit the key it just goes "chunk chunk" (great sound fx, right?) the starter drive gear isn't engaging the flex plate (A4)... Loosen the starter and it will sorta engage (may have a bad new battery). When I losen the bolts enough where it actually engages the ring gear on the flex plate it doesn't disengage.

This is the same flex plate that was in the 94 and the same brand new starter that was in the 94. Do I nee.d to shim this thing or what's the deal? I've been itching to get this thing fired.

Also, battery (last 3 months) on 200A start for 45 minutes made no difference in the way it turned over. It's a brand new battery and a brand new(ish) starter (less than 20 starts on the starter).

After all this work of dropping and re-installing the engine and having it be the starter hold me up, is, well, infuriating.

Do I need shims? Shaft is about 1/8" from the flexplate, but gear won't engage

 

Force the starter gear back into the flexplate with a screwdriver and see what the mesh looks like. That should tell you what you need to do as far as shimming.

http://shbox.com/1/starter_gear.jpg