Horrible noise coming from starter (or trans/motor?) when cranking

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by mad_science, Aug 19, 2013.

  1. mad_science

    mad_science Member

    Stock B350 + TH400 in my '69 Wagoneer. 2GC carb, nothing fancy.

    Went to start, got a "clunk" that usually comes with a low battery. I can tell starter's engaging the flex plate and pushing, but not turning it.

    I jump it and it starts cranking slowly, and get a horrible grinding noise...not a high-pitched starter gears grinding, but sounds like either the back of the motor or front of the trans is very unhappy. Has kind of an up-and-down to it...like when you're twisting something that's way out of round or cocked off axis.

    ...but it started and ran fine after that. I was in the middle of dragging a parts car out of the driveway, so I finished that job and parked it. (that was Friday night)

    Next attempt at starting: same clunk. Jumped it again, horrible noise, but isn't firing and i don't want to keep cranking it. That was at midnight last night, so I kind just said f--- it and went to bed.

    I checked the oil and don't see tell-tales of something failing. Haven't pulled the starter or checked the trans fluid yet.

    Anyone else had this happen?

    Tonight I'll pull the starter to see what's going on in there. I'm really hoping it's a borked starter and not something fore or aft of there...
     
  2. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Pull the convertor/flex plate inspection cover and see if you broke the flex plate. This is a common issue with the flex plate.
    Let us know what you find
     
  3. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Loose starter bolts?
     
  4. mad_science

    mad_science Member

    Not so much that you'd notice. When I got the "clunk" the second time, I suspected a stuck solenoid, so I hopped under there and gave it a couple taps with a hammer. Nothing seemed loose.

    Re: Flexplate
    Busted FP matches symptoms. Any specific cause for this, or just that they wear out?
     
  5. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Sounds like the bendex is broken in the starter.

    The flexplate cracks due to a poor design... Ta Performance sells a better replacement.
     
  6. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    Sounds like u need a starter. Could be bad wiring to starter since it needs extra power to turn it over but I would go with a starter
     

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