[n4mwd]

It could be that the starter gear isn't a priority bearing so it doesn't get as much oil. Without a gulley bearing, the oil can only get into the crankshaft when the crank rotates and the two holes line up. With the gulley bearing, the oil flows through the gulley and can get into the crank at all times.

That said, the most important oil passage is the one that goes into the center journal of the crank and then flows out to the two crank pin journals. Make sure that passage is clean and clear for sure.