I just got a "new" project car - 86 firebird 305 auto. After putting a new battery in it, I turned the key to see what would happen.

-clunk-

tried again... -clunk-

a couple more times...whirrrr!

That's all it wil do, clunk, clunk, clunk, whirrr....

I'v had another car that the starter solenoid would stick, but I would never get a whirrr! sound. What could this be?

I tried tapping on the starter, no difference. I just thought I would get some opinions before replacing the starter. Thanks!

 

I don't have the capability to do that. The whirring is the starter gear, I'm pretty sure, but the clunking confuses me. Could the bendix be out? Should I go ahead and replace the starter?

How can I tell if the engine is locked up? (I don't have any reason to believe it would be)

Thanks!