Hey everybody, new here but been looking on the site for a couple years, now just never registered. I had a little issue today and was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of what I'm looking at. I drive a 1973 F-100 with a '92 5.0. It's carbbed. I'd been driving it a good amount today. I got back from going to Advanced Auto and buying a new battery, get ready to head to work, try starting it and instead of cranking, it just had this awful grinding noise, like when you hold the key over too long, but the entire time before it even started. It was my papaws truck and he told me that the Electronic Ignition melted one day, but still worked. I'm not too sure if that'd have anything to do with it or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Drew

 

Sounds like either your starter isn't fully engaging the flywheel or you've got some missing teeth on the flywheel. I would start by pulling that starter and having it tested.

 

I was thinking about the starter but wanted to be sure. Thank you sir

 

Sounds like either the starter drive or the ring gear has been chewed up.
When you pull the starter, you should check the ring gear too. Pull the inspection plate/dust cover off and have someone rotate the engine by hand.
Watch the ring gear and look for any chewed up teeth.
Another possibility is the starter is loose.

 

I'll look into it, thank you!

 

similar thing happened to me. Went to start the truck after work. Started just fine no hesitation but the starter gear stayed engaged and was hitting my flywheel. Shut her off and she would just make that grinding noises like yours I'm assuming when I tried starting it again. Luckily I work at O'Reilly. Yanked the starter and put a new one in right there. Problem solved. Hopefully it's the same issue for you and is just the starter and not broken teeth on the flywheel

 

I haven't tried starting it since to not damage the flywheel any. I'm going to get me a new starter tomorrow and hopefully that solves the problem. Thank you!