i was thinking i might have the flywheel on backwards. are the welds supposed to face the engine side ? thats how it is now. that would be great news if i don't have to pull the motor and mess with the thrust bearing and crank. thanks for the help.

btw, i did notice the teeth on the flywheel, one side appear to all be shaved a bit. at first i thought that was the side that is supposed to face the engine (and starter) but they looked so uniform i thought it was a manufacturing thing, so i put them facing the transmission. are those possibly the wear marks from the starter gear ? if so, then i think i have it backwards. that would probably get me the extra few milliinches of clearance i probably need (reversing the flywheel). thanks again.