Is it really only an 1/8" that the nose needs to be toward the trans.? Not positive but does it seem like you could grind a 1/16 off of both mating surfaces pretty easily? I think the starter I use (15-1 compression) from Napa are about $60.00 or so. I wouldn't hesitate to grind on it. I have to shim my starter towards the engine on my race car. I didn't like the idea of shims or washers in the crank flange equation.