I had the starter problem on my 250. I tried shims and readjusting till I gave up and bought a new mini starter. Its drilled for both flywheel diameters and is the same as the small block Chevy starter. It cured all my problems plus saved a little weight. You can try the shims, it sure won't hurt. I never could figure out why it wouldn't disengage, I even tried a heavy spring in the solenoid to help pull it back.
As far as the balancer goes, I don't know with out being there. My wobbles some to, so I just bought a new rebuilt one. It came in the mail today. Check yours closer and see if the inner ring wobbles with the outer ring. It could be a bad balancer or as you suggested, knocked out of shape. I believe thats what happened to mine. It seems pretty easy to do, all though, you would think they are stronger then that.
The hot tip is to drill and tap the crank end, but like me, yours is in the truck and not easy to get to. The company I bought from suggested heating the balancer in the over to 240* then cooling the crank end with dry ice or nitrogin. Then if all goes right it might slide on, I hope so anyway.
You can never ask to many questions. Always give as much information as you can for the most accurate responces. Everyone on this board has made mistakes and has needed some help at one time or another. So ask away, Joe hand.
