Just bought this truck and the starter is grinding

'74 with a 350...

Some background... Seller put in a new gear reduction starter. And was having issue with the battery draining dead. Said it was the inline fuse on the battery cable going to the starter. So he replaced it and had no further issues.

Now to the issues I'm having... Truck started fine when I was looking at it and a few times during stops on the way home after buying it. Since then a couple issues have popped up. Every time I go to start the truck the battery is drained and has to be jumped. So that issue obviously hasn't been resolved. So I go out to start the truck the other day, and jump it first. When I went to start it just kept cranking, tried this a few times but wouldn't turn over. On the last try it started grinding really bad. Not sure why this problem with the starter popped up. It's brand new and I can't think of any causes. But I don't have really any experience working on cars/trucks. I bought this truck wanting to learn and have a project. I'm just frustrated that something has come so soon and any insight to these issues would be greatly appreciated!!

solenoid new? starter properly shimmed?

edit: loose, dirty or faulty wiring?

Not sure on the solenoid. Just got under the truck earlier and it looked like the Bendix hadn't retracted, it was still meshed with the flywheel.

check your wiring and grounds. battery could be not so great. there are a ton of videos on setting up / shimming a starter on youtube, etc.

I've watched a few of those and have a good idea of what to do there.. I just hope there's not another issue other than the starter needing to be shimmed since the bendix gear is stuck out.

pull the wires and clean the terminals and connectors from the battery to the starter. same goes for the block to frame ground.

https://www.dbelectrical.com/produc...tarter-ht-sdr0031-l.html?src=prn#write_review

If you need to replace the thing, I bought one of these and very impressed.

I have had a bunch of issues b/c the PO did some shotty wiring. +1 on checking all of the wiring and knocking off the corrosion.

I'd get a new battery too, so you have full power available to the starter. Disconnect a cable when not in use, until you get the draw figured out.

Check all your batter cables for corrosion, positive and ground, corrosion is resistance and will not let the battery get fully charged. Check the flywheel and starter for damage.

spanky55amg said:

https://www.dbelectrical.com/produc...tarter-ht-sdr0031-l.html?src=prn#write_review

If you need to replace the thing, I bought one of these and very impressed.

I have had a bunch of issues b/c the PO did some shotty wiring. +1 on checking all of the wiring and knocking off the corrosion.

Click to expand...

I like that, i may buy one of those.

So, I got under the truck again today.. Popped the bendix back in, still had spring to it when I pulled it out with a screw driver too. So that doesn't seem to be a problem.. But now I'm beginning to wonder if the previous owner even bought the right starter.. Before I took it down it was loose but the bolts were tight and that was with two nuts on each bolt on the bottom side of the starter as spacers. Put three shims in and an 1/8 in drill bit was still fitting in that space very loosely. Could have fit two or three in there... The flywheel is very chewed up in spouses well. I've looked up how to replace the flywheel. Looks like a pain in the ass. Never was able to get the starter to crank right. I'd really like to kick this guy in the balls that I bought this truck from. I paid him a pretty penny for this truck and he was either dishonest with me or didn't know what the hell he was doing or talking about. This is becoming a nightmare haha. Just can't figure out why everything worked fine to begin with.

spanky55amg said:

https://www.dbelectrical.com/produc...tarter-ht-sdr0031-l.html?src=prn#write_review

If you need to replace the thing, I bought one of these and very impressed.

I have had a bunch of issues b/c the PO did some shotty wiring. +1 on checking all of the wiring and knocking off the corrosion.

Click to expand...

This very well may be what I put on there if I have to replace the starter.

Btw, thank you to everyone on here who has offered their input so far!! I'm learning a lot already, it's just not knowing that is making this so frustrating among other things.

Your gonna have to pull the trans. If you just put a new starter one it won’t last.

4WDKC said:

Check all your batter cables for corrosion, positive and ground, corrosion is resistance and will not let the battery get fully charged. Check the flywheel and starter for damage.

Click to expand...

The flywheel is chewed up pretty good in a few areas. So I'm really concerned about that. The battery is good though as far as corrosion.

Honky Kong jr said:

Your gonna have to pull the trans. If you just put a new starter one it won’t last.

Click to expand...

That's what I was figuring. Much bigger job than I was anticipating or looking to do with the little knowledge/experience I have but I'm sure I can get through it.