Alright, what gives here. My lt1 block has both a staggered bolt pattern and the straight across bolt pattern for the starter. I am using the truck's original flexplate from the stock truck 4l60e. I was told that the SBC vortec was a 153 tooth flexplate, but commonly the 153 teeth ones use the straight across pattern. Basically I tried to bolt up a lt4 mini starter (straight across pattern), and I couldnt get it seated far enough because it was hitting the flexplate about an inch too early. I had to use a truck staggered starter, but its not really good for high compression engines and it lags when it cranks over. Would the flexplates be different from a 93-97 4l60e lt1 and a 96-98 vortec 350 4l60e combo?

 

Perhaps that flexplate is really 168 teeth and not 153??? Maybe you should count them to remove all doubt.

 

Yep from what I have been reading, it has to be a 168 tooth flexplate if it uses the staggered bolt pattern. Since I am pulling the transmission next weekend I will just swap in a LT1 flexplate. Just need to find one now I guess.