Rough Start/Horrible Noise

[ReYnd]

Recently bought this car on a fairly warm day, and it was driven to the location, so it was already up to operating temperature. It started just fine loading onto and unloading from the trailer.

Ever since, there is a horrible grinding noise every time I attempt to start the car. However, it does start fairly quickly. Three attempts is the most I've ever needed, probably would have been less if the noise hadn't scared me into letting off early. When it's running though, everything sounds fine.

Yesterday, working in a foot of rather wet snow, it had to move so I could get the truck out and on duty. Started once. Cranked it again, click. Dead battery. Swapped it out and we're back on our merry way, rough as ever. I have no idea how old the first battery was, but it looked to be in good condition.*

The alternator does have some oily residue on the stator, but it doesn't appear to be power steering fluid. Not getting maximum efficiency either way, but if it's not the cause of this problem, it's good enough for now.

I can't take it for a test drive just yet, but just idling, the alternator light stays off like it should (in addition to the brake light, referenced here). I'd like to get some suggestions as to what my problem(s) might be, because I want this thing on the road in full force as soon as possible.

*I have not had the chance to recharge this battery to see if it holds a charge.

 

[rlacasse1]

The grinding sounds like a starter issue to me. Either the starter gear or your flywheel teeth may be chewed up. or it is loose. but i think it is a starter issue.

 

[skylinegtr00440]

i would have to agree on that man, id change starter and possibly do a alternator change to have it fresh for ya. even better replace the battery too obviously. i had like all 3 go on my dsm when i got it .

 

[emerica12124]

Take a look at the starter teeth and flywheel teeth. Putting a new starter on a screwed up flywheel will just destroy the starter teeth. For the alternator, i would do a charging test. Advance auto does it for free. or replace it just to know it is new and for a piece of mind. Hope its just the starter. Invest in a lightweight flywheel if the teeth are chewed up.

 

[ReYnd]

Starter seemed pretty tight, when I put one back on I'll be sure to torque it to the specified 20-25 ft.lbs.
When I got the thing off, I noticed right away that the teeth look fine. But other areas above and below the teeth have been ground a bit. I couldn't feel around back there very well, but I know the flywheel shouldn't be contacting in those areas. The flywheel in general is a little sharp around the edges, what I expect from a heavy flywheel of such vintage. But the teeth seem to be perfectly serviceable.

See the first picture for the aforementioned starter damage.

Finally, there's a slight difference between the 91 starter and the 92 that came from my car. Mine has a hole with a little rubber elbow coming from it. Nothing inside, so I assume it is a vent. Anyone able to elaborate on this further?

EDIT: I have found what seems to be the cause of all my woes. There is certainly no starter plate to support the starter. That 3/16" explains every problem I've observed in the scope of this topic. But it appears that the plate might only be missing in this one area, which would be really great. I'll take some stuff off tomorrow to get a better view. I may be able to find a ring of the proper width and diameter and drill some holes in it to shim and support the starter to the proper location to solve the grinding problem. If the plate is otherwise intact, I would feel comfortable enough to drive it, at least to someone who can drop the tranny and install the plate. That project is too advanced for the likes of me. I just don't want to blow a huge chunk out of this bell housing like one of the previous owners did to the original that came with the car.

Funny thing is, I can't manage to get angry about paying so much for something that is, currently, a driveway ornament. The seller, who shall remain nameless, seemed pretty clueless as to what the real cause of the problem was. Could have had the decency to tell me what the symptoms were, but he didn't want to get stuck with it. I'd like to get about five hundred bucks back though.

I'm going to install some working hatch struts and miscellaneous other things while I mull this situation over. At least it will be a more functional driveway ornament.