Difference between 8ba and 59ab flywheel

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Years ago I had a 58AB on the engine stand, I installed a 59 wheel and measured from the back of the block to the ring gear, and then I installed an 8BA wheel and the gear is about 3/8in. (I think), back further than the 59 wheel, the problem is the starter drive won't go back far enough to disengage the gear. NOW, if you going the other way around, putting a 59 wheel on an 8BA block you could put a spacer between the wheel and the crank. Walt