Had my starter rebuilt by a local guy here. Put it in, worked for a bit, but the battery died. Replaced the battery, now when i try to start, it's almost like it's not kicking out. Whirrs and whirrs, doesn't sound like it's engaging. Eventually it will engage, and start the car. Advice? Think i didn't bolt it back up properly? Should i pull it and take it back?

 

Hard not to bolt it back properly; but, always worth a check. Goes without saying that if a part isn't working right and you think it was improperly installed, check that before doing anything else, even posting on the Internet.

Failing that, pull it and take it back to whoever built it. Sounds like the Bendix has died.

 

I've gotten in the habit of actually getting under the car and watching the starter while somebody else turns the key. Sometimes it's so obvious what the problem is when you actually watch what's happening.

Example: Old Blazer. Similar symptoms to yours. Had me pulling my hair out- engagement was good, starter bench tested like a champ. Sometimes it would just "whirr" and not sound like it was engaging at all. And it kept getting worse over time.

From under the car the problem became obvious. The spur gear was spinning on the starter output shaft! It was engaging the flywheel just fine, starter motor was spinning just fine, but the gear was turning on it's shaft instead of the engine cranking over.

[Insert "I coulda had a V8!" forehead smack]

 

Pull it and take it to advance auto parts. They'll test it for free.