The engine turns very easily with a wrench when the spark plugs are out. Its been a while since I messed with the valve lash but I am pretty certain I got the data from ED and he seems to know all on the 3.4L and I trust his word. I'll double check it though. My current situation with the starter is, if I go down to one shim, it wont turn and it sounds way too close, like the starter teeth bind up in the flywheel teeth. If I put 2 shims on it will maybe start but it sounds like its too fare away and it often just spins freely. Its as if the teeth were ground enough to not catch. Its really quite wierd. I have checked the start numerous time to make sure it pops out fine, and if I push the car in gear to turn the flywheel a little sometimes the next tooth is high enough for the starter to grab and start. I assume the teeth are worn un even and causing my delima but it is a brand new ring gear and I only used it a month or so. It didnt sound right when starting the whole time but it always worked fine.

How much do the teeth have to be worn to cause the teeth on the starter to not mesh with the ring gear?