High Torque Starter - Grinding WHen Starting?

[vesnyder]

I installed a high torque starter from our host several years ago. Last night when I went to start the car I got a grinding noise twice before the car started. The car has started several times since them with no issue. Any idea what this is? Does it tell me the starter is going? Would hate for this to strand me.

Thanks

[john walker's workshop]

may have damaged teeth on the flywheel ring gear. the engine tends to stop in 1 of 3 positions. you always see patches of worn teeth spaced 1/3rd around the circumference.

[vesnyder]

I read that somewhere that the hi-torque starters tend to damage the flywheel ring gear - is that true? Anybody else experienced this?

[Uncle Enzo]

I have had the hi torque for a while with no issues. My old starter was getting hung up as the gear on the starter would not fully retract after kicking out to engage the flywheel. I would pull it out and bench test to ensure it is working properly.

[KTL]

Do a search and you'll see some people have indeed found trouble with the mini starters engaging the ring gear. Some people needed to install a spacer shim to deal with the issue.

Grinding starter...still !!! Could use some guesses