I just got done putting a 400 sbc in my 86 Camaro, and have recently had issues with it starting. The first 25 or so times were just fine, but recently there's been an issue where it will be cranking, and every half second or so (usually, not always), there's a pretty bad noise (almost like screeching nails on a chalkboard), the whole engine jumps, and fuel spits from the carb. Once running, it seems fine, however.

Could this be a timing issue? If memory serves correctly, it only started doing it when I adjusted the timing again. Unfortunately the timing cover I used has no timing scale either, and there's a possibility my balancer has slipped.

The teeth on the edge of the flexplate look a bit chewed up, and IMO, it looks like the starter gear is too far away from the flexplate teeth. There's no shims in it now, and it still looks like they'd barely come in contact. The starter does engage every time, btw.

 

if the balancer slipped replace it. you need to find tdc and install a pointer. if the flywheel teeth are damaged you should replace it and the starter or gear. if you need to move the starter closer to the flywheel shim the outside bolt.

 

sounds like the timing is off to me as well. Check the balancer to see if it sliped....recheck the timing as well, maybe the distributor spun.

 

Hi-compression motor? Stock starter? Motor turn slowly when it squeels? Starter get hot when trying to start?

Check wire leads @ the starter, and all grounds.

I had a similar prob with another car & motor. Motor was 11.5:1. Motor turned slow, so I charged the battery, but it didn't help. Finaly git a mini with the right teeth for the flex plate, & had no probs.

Not saying it IS the starter, just my experience with a squeeling, hot, wrong starter. Can you get the starter checked // tested?

( edit )
Good answers...never thought about timing, pointer, distributor!!

God luck!!

 

I know the starter is new, but that's all I know about it. Haven't checked to see if it gets warm, but it does spin quite fast, and is stock compression. It's not impossible that it's the wrong starter, but I'll try shimming it differently before replacing it.

Thanks guys!

 

Check the balancer, distributor // rotor, plugs // wires as stated above.

Get some nail polish & paint a stripe across the timing mark and down the front, over the rubber & onto the other part of the balancer.
If it slips, the lines will shift. If it's already slipped, you will see if it continues to.
Also, do as suggested, and get a timing maker // pointer.
Make sure distributor isn't turning as it tries to start.