I recently bought a 69 Chevelle with a 396 cu. in. motor. Approximately one out of every ten times I start the engine the starter motor grinds. I have to turn the key quickly once or twice and then the starter will engage and start the engine. Does this sound like a starter problem or am I missing some teeth on the flywheel? If I have to replace the starter should I replace it with a regular starter or a reduction starter? If the problem is with the flywheel can I reverse the teeth on the flywheel (as read on an earlier post) or replace the flywheel?

Thanks for any help,
Bubba


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ACES member #04788
Maryland Chevelle Club member #075
Have you ever noticed that those instruments designed to detect intelligent life in the universe are all pointed AWAY from Earth???

You are really going to have to do a visual inspection. It could be a starter problem, flywheel problem, or a clearance problem. Take a look at the teeth on the starter and the flywheel. Also, make sure that you can insert a large paper clip wire between the teeth of the starter and flywheel when engaged. You can engage the teeth by pulling the starter drive out with a large screwdriver.

Replace it with a regular starter. I don't think that you can reverse the teeth practicly.

you may just want to put a shim or two between the starter and the block, it's probably just a spacer problem.