I think I screwed up. I was going to install the starter motor plate last, after installing the engine and tranny. I have done it before without a problem BUT... in a car. I forgot the truck oil pan has a bracket on the bottom of it. Darn it. I think the only option is to loosen up the tranny and move it back a 1/4" or so to slide the starter plate up and in.

 

Do you have the dust shield installed already? Take that out and try it.

 

The dust shield is up higher. I am getting pinched between the bellhousing and the oil pan.

 

Do the bolts in the bellhousing line up with the holes in the bracket on the pan? I just can't see how you can't slide a 1/16"-thick plate up between the bracket and BH, unless the bracket is meant to bolt to the BH. In which case, there would still be 1/16" to slide it in (it would be tight for sure)

 

The starter plate is not a flat piece of metal. Its indented and has a 1/4" lip or offset. The oil pan bracket is hitting this lip, not allowing the starter plate to go up into the bellhousing.

 

Look at the 8rt truck starter plate in the center and you will see what I mean.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...adptrs-8rt.jpg