Okay I need someone else's opinion. When I start my Firebird I hear a moderate clanging/grinding sound for a second after the car starts. So I assumed it was related to the starter, but I wasn't sure how. Yesterday I tried to start the car and I heard the starter spinning over, but it sounded like it was missing the flexplate. I thought "great the flexplate has a smooth spot worn into it now." I put the car in reverse, let it roll back several inches, put it back in park, and then it starts up fine, but still with a little noise. Today I pulled the inspection cover off the transmission and the flexplate is fine, no sign of grinding at all. So what I did yesterday was apparently a coincidence. Should I assume now I just need a new starter? The starter's case is very rusty so I guess it's pretty old, could the solenoid be slow to retract when I start the car or something? Thanks guys!

 

Is the starter tight?

Since you were right there (with the inspection cover removed) it would be realatively easy to disconnect the battery, remove the starter, and inspect it. You can see if the solenoid is failing, the linkage is worn (fairly common) or the pinion/overrunning clutch is engaging fully.

Typically, the pinion on the starter is softer than the teeth on the flywheel or flexplate. Ed Cole designed it that way so you could change starters before you have to pull the engine to change flywheels.

 

Yeah I know, I was right there, but I put everything back to gether because it was getting cold outside. I started the car to make sure it still worked. Then I shut it off and reset my radio presets (had to disconnect the battery of course), and when I tried to restart the car nothing happened. Not even the sound like the starter was spinning. Absoultely nothing. I made double sure the conncetions on the starter were tight before I lowered the car, and no it doesn't start at all. The battery is a healthy 12.6V. This has to be the starter right? Or at the very least the solenoid? The starter was tight, so much so that I had a hard time breaking the bolts loose.