Starter clearance to flywheel

How much clearance should there be between the starter pinion gear and the flywheel. I have both a new flywheel and a new power master starter (original style) and after installing the starter the pinion gear is very close to the flywheel ring gear. What is the minimum clearance ?

I remember hearing .100 or more on race motors

How do you even shim a mopar starter as they don't bolt up perpendicular to the ring gear like GM starters do with a starter pad on the block?

You can use the stock starter spacers to get more clearances

I believe the OP is talking about for/aft clearance, not lateral clearance. The factory dust seal is usually missing and would add .032" to the clearance.

John could that be added in addition to the sheet metal shield in front of the bellhousing with a small block?

Sure, but it would probably need to be trimmed to fit a small block.