my iroc grinds a little when starting. i replaced the started and it still grinds. could it be the flywheel? and if so how much are they and where can i get a decent one?

 

Depends upon what the grinding really is. Could be the starter isn't shimmed properly, could be the flywheel teeth are shot.

 

Check the shim on the starter 1st. Do you have the shims that came off when you swapped the starter?

 

my 91' rs. has a starter issue as well. it doesnt grind, but i believe the pinion gear does not extend to connect to flywheel. so it makes a whirring noise. do i need to replace starter or just check it out for any problems?

 

that's a high probability that the solenoid is failing to engage the starter correctly.
Meaning it does not shove it out and merely spins the gear.
I've had this problem before many years ago..
Much to my surprise..that was the problem.
I could of course be wrong though. However that was exactly what was happening.

 

ok cool. would i have to replace starter. my dad i think has another starter. supposidly he says its for my motor(305ci tbi) but i think he means our 307 thats sitting in our garage.

 

When you turn the key, it only energizes the solenoid, kicking out the drive. Internal contacts inside the solenoid then "connect" the battery to the starter motor. If the starter spins, the solenoid is getting shoved out.

If it's not getting shoved out and the starter motor spins, then the fork that kicks the drive out is bent or the drive came off the fork. I've never seen this happen, but anything is possible.

If the ring gear isn't stripped, I would say the starter drive is no good. The drive gear is a one-way sprag; it gear locks in one direction (when the engine is cranking) and free-wheels in the opposite direction (when the engine starts). When starter deives go bad, the usually get a kind of flat spot in them where they don't lock up.

 

OK
I was sure that the starter spun but did not push the fork as mentioned above.
I was referring to an older car I had many years ago.
I understand what is said above.
I understood the solenoid to do 2 things..acting as a relay for power to the actual starter motor itself and act as an electromagnet to pull the fork towards itself and engage the flywheel.
Perhaps European and American manufacturing differs to this degree.
Still my problem was thus and a new starter was the ensuing price I had to pay.
The solenoid could have been replaced. I just replaced the whole unit though.
My input may be worthless on your model then.
If so then accept my apologies.

Edit:
after googling and reading...I still believe the problem is the solenoid not engaging the electro-magnet. Failure can still power the motor to spin if the failure is in that place.