[TAQuest]

Just for reference as to what you can run into;
My standard starter and 400 block uses no shims at all to mesh properly.
My other Pontiac with a standard starter and 400 block uses no shims either.
A standard starter on the 428 I used to own used no shims at all.
The 1972 Bonneville I used to own with a 455 and standard starter used no shims at all.
My 68 Firebird with a 350 block used no shims at all.
None of the other Pontiacs I have owned used shims either.
The 302 in my 69 Z needed shims.
The 400 small block in my chevy truck uses shims.