AMC 401 starter problem

I started haveing a problem with the starter grinding against the ring gear. I have tried two different starters with the same result. If I shim the starter so it is not flush with the bellhousing, pushing the starter gear closer to the ring gear, I can get the starter to engage the ring gear. This works for a while but eventually it F's up the starter gear. I did not build the truck so I dont know the year engine or what it came out of. What I have learned is that there are two different size flywheels and ring gears for the 401. Both are 164 teeth. I have the smaller diameter flywheel and ring gear. The conclusion I draw is that either I have the wrong flywheel/ring gear or the wrong bellhousing. I do not know if there are different bellhousings for the 401 but I was thinking that maybe the smaller ring gear had a bellhousing to match and the bigger vice versa. As the bellhousing I have already has an adaptor plate to my tranny I would think I would need to stay with this bellhousing. Sorry for the long post, just tryin to give as much as I know. Any info on what the difference on the flywheel size and what the engine may be out of is appreciated. thanks

Dave ----

 And no, this is not the stock engine, but it is the stock manual trans. The starter is on the passenger side with solenoid on starter and single wire.

If no plate you ned to get one and install it, that could fix it.

Sounds like someone used a bell that fits the 401, could the stock Jeep one work? and it had the right bolt pattern on the trany side but need a spacer between bell & trany. I know that spacer was stock on some Jeeps and certin stick tranys.

Dave ----

 

We also want to see pictures of the Jeep too