Can anyone answer some starter questions for 1991 Formula?

[pippintook]

I just bought a 1991 Firebird Formula. It has the 305 TBI with WS6 suspension. Intermittently, the car will not start. The starter makes a grinding noise and the engine does not turn over. If I try it 3-4 times, it always starts...sometimes it will grind 3-4 times before starting, other times it does not grind at all and starts fine.
This happens when engine is warm or cold.
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Questions:
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1. Has anyone had a similar problem? Does this sound like a bad starter?
2. Does the 91 Formula 305 TBI use the new small starter (I think this is known as the gear reduction starter) or the old style large starter?
3. Do I have to remove any exhaust parts (ie. y pipe etc) to remove the starter? Is this a pretty easy job to replace the starter?
Thanks for any advice/help

[raul.garcia]

Starter

The grinding noise is from a broken flywheel tooth, after the starter gear hits it a few times it moves it enough to catch. Sometimes it will start without grinding because the last time it was turned off, the broken tooth was at least 180° away from the starter. replacing the flywheel is another story.

If you replace the flywheel (some call it a flex-plate) now, you shouldn't have to replace the starter, just be sure to inspect the starter gear for wear, broken teeth, or both.

Good luck!