70 chevy pickup 350 engine starter problems

I have a 70 chevy with a 350 engine & a turbo 350 trany put a new flex plate and starter on about 8 months ago and the teeth are all chewed up on both again. I spent a lot of time making sure the starter was shimmed up just right the last time and it sounded good but now it sounds terrable and need replaced again. Is there a different starter that might work better on these trucks than what I get at the local auto parts store. My brother had a truck the same year & it had the same problem. I would greatly appreciat any and all advice I can get thank you ....jeff....  

ok jeff you probably dont need any shims i had the same problem it probably has some Washers on the screws so no matter how many times you shim itdo it again just dont shim it  

I had same problem with my 72 350/350 tried all sorts of differnt starters and every shim combo possible. One day it was shimmed perfect, next day wasn't. Parts guy at Auto Zone had me try new starter bolts. On my old bolts the criss cross lines for extra grip were wore smooth. The newones had the criss cross grip and helped hold starter just alittle more. $9.00 and 15 minutes later worked fine and has been working fine for over a year. Wish I would have known that along time ago. I will probley never buy another starter again without buying new starter bolts to go with it.
I know this is months after your original list of the problem but hope it works for someone. Let me know if you already fixed your problem another way...  Adam  

I have had same problems. Am on my third starter. I have purchased new bolts, shimmed it up. It is ok until the engine gets to operating temp and when you go to start it again it makes all sorts of noise. I am at wits end.  It is a 1970 3/4 ton with a 350. Travis  

i have a 71 chevy c10 i put a new 350 in it and put a new starter on it but ive been having a problem with the starter not being shimmed right but so far its made me shim it about half in or so and its not wanting to turn ...i dont know if its to close still or what but i didnt know if there was an easier way or if i should shim it until it starts thanks for your help  

There are different starters for auto or manual, they are slightly different, I've never had to shim and never had a problem.If you are clashing you still do not have the starter motor at the right distance from the flexplate. Some of you guys maybe having solinoid problems due to having headers too close to the starter, which will eventually distroy it due to heat. If you have a poor connection to the solinoid it will cause the armiture not to throw-out at maximum strength thus causing it to clash.  

I don't recall any mention of auto vs manual, in ANY Chevy application I've checked.  I know Ford has this bizarre affliction with overcomplicating simple things like this.
The knurl on the starter bolts is important, too.
I'm running a late model(mid 90's) starter on my 402.  It's tiny, compared to the old monster that came off, but it seems to work fine.  
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1949 Chevy 1 1/2ton, home-built hydraulic wrecker.  Rustoleum industrial black, with flames.  Flamethrowers out 5" dual stacks.
1962 Chevy C-20, 402BB, 4-speed, 3.90 positrack. Hauls my camper.... among other things.