Crazy whining on startup

[DSMFalcon1]

I pulled my engine out a few years back and dropped it back in with the the plate between the block and transmission removed. The starter started making this crazy whining, zipper, fingernails on nylon sound. So I pulled the two apart and put the old spacer back in. It has never stopped since then.

The sound happens only when the starter is engaged. I replaced the starter thinking it could be the small gear. Any ideas on what could be creating this?

 

[Talyn]

As I understand it, it does crank and start, but makes this noise while doing it? I would suspect a problem with the flywheel/flexplate ring gear being broken or damaged in some way, or a foreign object in there or broken piece of something. if replacing the starter didn't get rid of it. Unless the starter were in backwards, but I'm not sure that's possible, and it certainly wouldn't start if it was. I don't really see the plate mattering much, its pretty thin

 

[dsmboise]

Pretty sure that plate was intended to keep debris and dirt out of the bellhousing.

It may be possible that there is some kind of contamination in there now.

When you reinstalled the plate (some call it an inspection cover), did you remove the engine and take a look in there? Or did you (like I do) just shove it in there once you had enough clearance for it to fit?

 

[DSMFalcon1]

I for sure didn't pull the motor all the way out. I opened it up enough to shove it in like you said but I looked around while I had the chance. Because space is limited I could have only checked it over so well so maybe there is in fact something in there.

 

[Robertawdgsx]

Sounds like something is maybe not tight. Bolts could be loose holding motor to trans together. Just double check the basics.