the flexplate or flywheel will only bolt on one way... the right way. the shim normally goes on the outside, but i have seen them between the crank and flexplate.
how thick is a buttload? will the starter bolt up at all without them? the shims are for aligning the bendix in the starter, and should not be needed just to bolt it up, only to get the teeth to mesh properly. could you have an incorrect part?
