Occasionally(once every 20-30 starts) my starter will screech like crazy, then i'll let off ignition, start it again and it starts fine, its kind of embarrasing in public, whats the problem? thanks.

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1987 Trans Am
5.0L TPI
Automatic, all pwr. op
Digital Dash
Flowmaster Muffler
gutted cat
removed MAF screens
TransGo Shift Kit

 

Sounds as though your starter gear (pinion gear) in not engaging with the motor gear (flywheel)
1/ This could be caused by the pinion gear sticking on the shaft.
2/ The gear teeth are starting to wear.
3/ The clearance between the gears is to much. Caused by loose starter bolts or warn bearings.
4/ Bad connections at electrical terminals (starter or battery)
I would remove starter first and look at gears for wear (on leading edge), loose starter shaft, sticky pinion and on removing see how tight bolts are. Also check elec connections if all else looks o.k.
Hope this is of some help. good luck.

 

Does this happen while the starter is turning the engine over, or after the engine starts?

If the former, your Bendix is shot - either replace it or the whole starter. If the latter, the Bendix is not disengaging. Most often that's a dirty mechanism, but could also be spacing.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlock header mufflers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1/94.6 @ 5800' Bandimere.

 

It happens while i'm trying to start the engine. I am lucky to have a shop that fixes alternators and starters near my house, so i guess i'll take it over to them. its nice not to have a garage charge you $180 for a rebuilt one.

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1987 Trans Am
5.0L TPI
Automatic, all pwr. op
Digital Dash
Flowmaster Muffler
gutted cat
removed MAF screens
TransGo Shift Kit

 

I agree with 82 T-TOP. I worked on a Buick Century that had the same problem. It does sound like you have some clearance problems. It may very well be that the bolts are loose. Another thing to consider is that some mechanics place a shim(s) between the starter and mounting pad(where the bolts go through) in order to maintain proper clearance. Maybe you have one that is too thick, or maybe you don't need one? If the starter teeth were worn I don't think you'd be hearing a screech; you'd probably just hear the starter spinning freely (kind of like a whirring sound). Do any of you all agree?

 

I had a similar problem, it was my starter eating up my flywheel. Took that bad boy out(flywheel) and man! some of the teeth were missing. I hope you solve the problem. Good luck.