i have had a starting problem for about 3 years now and no one can figure it out, was wondering if anyone here had some advice.
the problem - for everytime the key is turned the starter clicks once. however, it is intermitant and does not do this all the time

parts replaced:
-more than 10 starters
-ignition cylinder
-ignition key
-positve and negative terminal wires
-steering column ( and all wires on it)
-starter relay under dash
-swapped flywheel when t56 swap was done (few weeks ago)

things noticed: the usual way i get it to start is either by leaving it in gear and shaking the car, or by repeatedly trying to start it and hoping it starts. i have gone to at least one chevy dealer and a few other shops and no one can figure anything out. if anyone has any suggestions i would greatly appreciate it.

most people hear this and say its the starter, just remember i said i replaced it at least 10 times, so that cant be the problem. it seems as though something in the car causes the starter to go bad.

 

Have you tested the starters when taken off ? It could be and alignment problem with too much pressure on the starter drive from the fly wheel, when the solenoid kicks in.
Have you got a good ground between starter and block?
Just suggestions, but with what you have changed already its gotta be somthing wiered like that.

 

im not sure where the starter grounds to the block, would you happen to have any idea? all i remember is there are 3 wires that hook on the same stud as the power from the battery (including power wire) and one other that hooks onto a smaller stud.

and no i havn't tested them when they came off. i have a warranty from napa and just take them back for exchange. i have also tried high torque starters for the extra power but a few of those didnt do much better either. i will have the next one tested before i go to exchange it and see if thats the culprit

 

It grounds through the large fixing bolts, should be clean with the amount of times it been changed.. On my old 2nd gen the starter had shims between the block and starter, where the bolts go. these stop it running too tight on the fly wheel. You have wired ok. you can test off the car with jumper cables, straight to a battery. ground the starter body, positive to the large terminal (where the 3 wires go) then the jumper wire from there to the smaller single terminal. be carefull it will kick when it spin

 

the starter grounds through the bolts attached to the block?

and how do i know if i need a shim, or what size i would need? i have tried them before but dont think it did any good

 

A couple things to check. Neutral safety switch? Also when you replace the starter are you replacing the soleniod at the same time? How about the ground wire going from the body to the chasis? Does temperature make a difference? Is this a vats system? They can be a pain I'm told.

 

it is a vats system but the keys, and ignition cylinder have been replaced, and i think the vats module has been also.
i replaced the neutral safety switch b ut forgot to mention it.
the solenoid is attacned to the starter and gets replaced everytime the starter does
where is the ground wire from the body to the chassis? i dont know anything about this, but i have replaced the negative terminal wire, dont know if that would do anything, just seemed like a good idea for maintenance reasons also

 

Two locations for a ground wire from the body to the chasis. On my 86 Z-28 it is between the firewall and one of the transmission bolts going into the engine. The other ground is a separate smaller wire going from the ground cable to the inner fender.