Ok, so Ive got an 83 Z28 with the original 305 in it. Once in a while now it wont turn over. Turn the key and nothing. Go under the car and gently tap on the starter with a hammer (or tire iron) and it fires right up.

Im literally getting 0 sounds (that are audible from inside the with the door open) when I turn the key. No clicks, pops or anything. Its only done it 3 times in the past 3 months, but in that time it has also stopped in mid crank for a split second resulting in that horrible grinding noise of the starter gear no longer meshing correctly. Its done that twice now in addition to the 3 total no starts.

I only have enough cash to replace one item, so I dont want to guess wrong. Since it only happens once in a great while, I wont know if I got it correct right away.

Any ideas?

 

No noise suggests solenoid, but if you buy a starter it'll come with a solenoid.

 

Ok, thanks. I will call tomorrow and confirm that the store Im buying it from does include the solenoid. If so, then Im all set on all fronts.

 

I think all autopart stores sell the starter complete, If they dont, find on that does, sounds like you are having a bendix issue as well.

 

Well, it only makes that horrible sound if the starter "stalls" out in the middle of cranking. Basically it felt fine and just before the motor fired, the starter lost power for a split second then re-engaged, which made that same sound like it was trying to re-start an all ready running engine (since the motor was already spinning and hadnt completely stopped yet)

Its only done it twice so far and both time were after the starter had started acting up and not spinning (in the last 4 months or so out of 2+ years of driving it daily)