Starter issue?

I didn’t index the bellhousing. I know that is something that’s been discussed here. I figured if the bellhousing with it’s concentric ring assembled with the transmission ok then it probably met 1960s/70s standards...But I do understand that it (Index) should have been done.
I do all the work on these cars by myself on my back without a lift and the engine was still in the car and have no one to even help carry or hold something when needed plus I’m 57 years old. So sometimes a step or two gets skipped. In the process. Piss poor excuse I know Lol

I did order one of the dust cover/shims from Brewers yesterday which will add lateral clearance

My thoughts are the only way to obtain the same results as shimming a GM starter (perpendicular clearance)would be to either remove material from the Bendix gear or a smaller gear as the shim lowers or widens the mesh between the flywheel and starter.

Thanks again for the input.