As you stated the converter is about 1/2" from lugs to flex plate . Would this keep the ring gear away from the starter ? I have never seen this much distance , all of my converters have been right up to the flex plate . When I worked at Chry dealer stock converters never had a distance of 1/2" , they always slid right up close to flex plate . I have heard of the pilot not being machined correctly . Never seen this . I would vote for pulling the converter & relieve the snout . Gary