The guy I bout by my car from let it sit for about 8-10 months. He said he rarely even started it during that time. Just recently it sat for about a month in my driveway because of the absolute horrible sound it was making; I thought the worst. I started to think the main bearings were gone. I had a few shop hired mechanics come and listen to it and literally SECONDS after turning the engine over, they told me not to shut it off and leave it off.

Well, I was irritated one day and decided to drive it around town. A guy in his 70's pulled up next to me in his 70's model Dodge truck and said "Hey, check the flywheel". I would never have thought about that in a million years!

Just the other day I removed the starter to check the fly wheel and the starter and flywheel were both in good condition. I did however notice that the flexplate bolt was almost falling out! Well, it had become so lose that it destroyed the starter shim.

The next day, I put the car on stands, removed the trans cover and ALL of the felxplate bolts were almost out. I got some loctite and wrenched em back in, slapped the starter back on and it purrs like a kitten! I couldn't believe it.

I hope to see that old man again and shake his hand.
Here is a pic of the starter shim...

 

Oh yeah, Tow Mater not included lol

 

It is not actually a shim, like a chevy. It is an inspection cover ...

 

I apologize for the late reply, I've been busy to say the least. It's not the inspection cover in the outside of the starter, but it goes between the starter and transmission. I looked for a new one and they run on average of about $50...it starts just fine without it lol

 

I don't know what someone was trying to sell you. There is no shim. Only thing there is the sheet metal transmission dust cover.