Ford Starter shims???

[Juggernaut]

I had to replace the starter on my 289. The old starter was from a 1966 289 with a three speed manual & worked with my set-up. I thought it was causing a hard starting problem the car developed.

I got a replacement starter, it is the one I need, but now it is grinding on the flywheel when I attempt to start it.

I took it back to the parts store I bought it from & the guy told me I have to shim it. He said to use shims on the top bolt, or maybe just the bottom bolt or maybe both. He said I just have to play with it until it's lined up properly. Is that correct??

My old starter didn't have shims & it didn't grind on the flywheel.

Do I need to shim it & if I do, where do I get the shims, NAPA? Or do I use washers like the guy at the parts store told me?

The frustrating part of this whole thing is that there was nothing wrong with the old starter, the hard start problem was caused by the timing being too far advanced!

I feel like an idiot!!