[V8] starter going?

[Buchholz, Steven]

... when I had the engine off on #2 I noticed that the Bendix gear had 1/2
to 3/4 inch of play in the solenoid.  It was apparent that this allowed the
gear to rub against the flywheel as there was maybe 1/16 inch worn off the
ends of the teeth.  I didn't have time to procure a starter at that time
because I was in a hurry to get the car back on the road ... but it wasn't
too long before I had to go back in and do the swap because it would do the
same thing you describe ... when the ignition switch was turned to the start
position you could hear the starter motor spin but the Bendix gear was not
engaging the flywheel.  

I opted for a rebuilt starter (which I got right away from a local FLAPS)
because I do need a starter for that engine which is waiting to be installed
in the Avant.  I see no reason to expect that a starter can't be
successfully rebuilt and serve reliably for years thereafter ...

Steve B
San José, Kaleefohnia (USA)
> 
> I think my starter is going, but I wanted to ask the list to 
> make sure.  When I turn the key to crank the engine, 
> sometimes it will make a whirring noise and there is no 
> engine action.  When I let off of the key, it does a fake 
> start for like a split second and then obviously dies.  When 
> I turn the car back off and then try to start it again, it 
> starts with only the normal hesitation.  I'm thinking the 
> hesitation (which means it takes a few revolutions for the 
> engine to catch instead of firing right up) means that the 
> starter is getting old, but this fake start thing with the 
> whirring, is that an electrical/wiring problem, or should I 
> just get a new starter?  Also, is a rebuild a bad idea?  I 
> have 143k on this starter.  Also, is it the same starter as a 5k?