This is my first garage rebuild and I feel like I’ve done everything right, but can’t source this problem. Can someone help me diagnose? My starter won’t engage the flywheel and makes this kind of grinding noise.

 

so when you turn the key to the start position, the starter makes noise but the engine doesn't turn?

 

the starter goes out and spins and I believe it hits the flywheel because that’s what it sounds like, but something in the starter could have popped maybe.

 

Make sure your starter bolts are tight and rock the car in gear to move the flywheel a tooth. If that doesn't work yank it out and go get it tested. It's usually just a bad solenoid

 

I did a bench test and seemed to work just fine, im trying to add the video that i took for how it sounds, but i dont believe that itll let me post it. I would ask for an email, but i dont believe you would want to give that information out. we rolled the car out of my garage and it still made the wretched noise.

 

Does jump starting the car help?

 

I tried to, but it wouldn’t start because it hasn’t been started since the rebuild

 

Try dropping a little ATF in the chambers to help build compression