Below is the Kick out. "The Starter Drive" when the starter spins up the starting gear is kicked into the ring gear and turns the engine. When engine starts the starting gear is kicked out. The grinding you hear is the starting gear either not kicking into the ring gear all of the way to turn the engine or it gets stuck and you hear the starting motor spinning. You can just replace the Starter Drive but in practice it is better just to replace the whole starter, usually by the time the starter drive goes out the starter motor is fairly worn as well. The Starter Drive costs between $10 and $16 dollars. A remanufactured starter costs anywhere between $50 and $90 dollars

 

Kick drive = bendix right? (I think I spelled it right)

Ok so when I go to start it, it starts on the first try every time, so I know it kicks out. You mentioned the other problem might be that it does not spring into gear all of the way. I'm pretty sure this is my problem, I mentioned in an earlier post that the flywheel had wearing that made me think the starter was not setting deep enough for the starter kicker to fully engage.

I did notice that it has about an 1/8 inch washers on the bolts so I'm going to remove those in the morning and see I that fixes the problem.

I'll give you an update ASAP.

Thanks for the post I really helps knowing what the two problems could be.

 

Went with a reman starter and it got somewhat better. I had my buddy stand out next to the truck and he says he doesn't hear anything abnormal. But i guess I expect a smooth start up.

Now its a real light grind just before it stats....

Is that normal?