I really appreciate all of the responses.  It has been a few weeks since my last question.  The problem was that whoever built the motor before was too lazy to go and buy a flexplate PTO, instead he/she took (wasted) the time to fab an aluminum spacer. But to all of you who took the time to answer, my sincerest thanks...and good luck.

 I have a BBC and after the flywheel but before the power takeoff adaptor I have an aluminnum spacer.  It seems to keep the adaptor away from the flywheel.  Have any of you heard of this, or know where to get a new one?