I have this grinding noise, which is pretty much the starter grinding against the flexplate, it only does at the first turn of the key not when starting though. One of my buddys said he thought it was a flat spot on the flexplate!!!! Does anyone else here have any ideas?????
thanks!!!!!!!!

Had the same problem on a '72 Elk. I replaced the starter about (2) times and it'd go away for a few weeks, but then come back with a vengeance.

The problem went away when I followed a friend's recommendation and changed the starter for the 3rd time along with the flexplate - problem solved!

Good luck!

I had a problem like this, after changing to th400. i bought a flex plate for racing. After changing the starter with not much luck, I brought it to the local starter shop and he told me it was because the flex plate was built to closer tolerances, and that the edges on the teeth were not beveled or rounded or something like that. I went ahead and put a mini starter on. He told me that the gear that shoots out was made for easier engagement, plus the fact that he shimmed really well. now it engages better than it ever did before. Hope this might help.