u/LS6_BigBlockChevy

Need some ideas because this one has me stumped.

1970 Buick Skylark with an SBC/TH350 and 168-tooth flexplate. I’m now using a brand-new Performance World 360900 clockable mini starter, straight-bolt pattern, rated for 153/168-tooth applications.

The starter engages and cranks the engine fine, but after releasing the key, the Bendix will sometimes stay engaged in the flexplate. I can reach in and push the Bendix back by hand and it retracts easily. Other times it disengages normally on its own.

Things I’ve tried:
Tested 0, 1, 2 and 3 conventional starter-to-block shims. Currently has 3. Problem still happens.
Currently has two mini-starter shims between the starter and billet mounting block to move the pinion fore/aft.
Retracted pinion has clearance from the flexplate and isn’t touching.
Wire-wheeled/cleaned the flexplate teeth to remove rust, paint and dirt. No change.
Spraying a little PB Blaster on the ring gear seemed to help temporarily, but obviously that’s not a proper fix.

This same failure-to-disengage problem happened with previous conventional starters too.

I also did a Sharpie test because I thought maybe one section of the ring gear was damaged. Every time the Bendix stuck, I marked that exact spot on the flexplate. After releasing it and cranking again, the same marked section could come around and disengage perfectly normally. So there doesn’t seem to be one consistent bad/dead spot on the flexplate. It seems random.

The starter cranks properly; the problem is simply that sometimes the Bendix doesn’t spring back out of the ring gear when I release START, but I can manually push it back.

Ignore the spark

Been trying to get this starter in for a while. Not fitting. Was told it was the correct starter for this car. It’s only off by a little bit.

Edit: Bought a staggered bolt setup starter and it fit perfectly fine. Amateur hour.

I’m hoping someone can help identify the age, maker, and approximate value of this tête-à-tête (conversation chair).
The frame appears to be solid carved hardwood with detailed scrollwork. It was somewhat professionally reupholstered because it had no usable fabric when we got it. It has some age-related wear and what appears to be an old repair or joint in one of the arms. The piece is very heavy, and the frame has a little flex if lifted from one end.
I’ve seen similar examples listed anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, so I’m trying to figure out whether this is an original Victorian piece or a later reproduction.
Any insight on the age, wood, maker, or realistic value would be greatly appreciated!

I just bought a 1970 Buick Skylark (A body) with a small block Chevy with circle port heads. I’m looking for cheap used headers on Marketplace, but a lot of sellers don’t know what they came off of. Are there any visual features or measurements I can use to tell if they’ll fit my car before I buy them?

I’ll throw in some pics of some headers I’m interested in buying.

I just bought a 1970 Buick Skylark (A body) with a small block Chevy with circle port heads. I’m looking for cheap used headers on Marketplace, but a lot of sellers don’t know what they came off of. Are there any visual features or measurements I can use to tell if they’ll fit my car before I buy them?

I’ll throw in some pics of some headers I’m interested in buying.