Hello,

On my 68 340 Barracuda, When starting the car once it is completely warmed up, the starter will screech. To avoid the screech, I have found myself releasing the ignition key as quickly as possible; sometimes that works. Often times, I can't release the key fast enough and I get the dreaded starter screech. Oh how embarrassing.

When starting the car when it is cold, there are no issues.

I am using a Denso starter (281-0109) that I purchased from Mancini back in 2015 or so. It was a NEW starter, not a reman:

Denso starter part number

The flywheel is a 130T, 10.5" and I am using the factory Chrysler bell-housing.

I have a relay in between the factory Chrysler starter and the starter solenoid switch terminal on the starter, a la MAD Electrical:

MAD Electrical wiring diagram

I'm trying to figure out what the problem is. Sadly, I replaced the old starter (the same one, only old) with this new one "when I was in there" doing the top-end of the engine. The headers were out and I thought it would be good to replace the starter while I had the room. I really need to stop doing that. I started having problems with the starter not long after that.

I guess I can always put the old one back in and try that route.


What do you guys think the problem is? What would you do next?

Going to hard to diagnose by your description. posting a video clip with sound would be helpful.

I would take it back out & a good visual for anything that dont look right.

The top bolt hole will usually be a little large, try loosening both bolts, rotate the starter out away from the engine and re-tighten. It may be too close to the teeth on the flywheel or convertor.

The first thing you need to do is make sure the index hole for the nose of the starter is not broken in the bell housing. Next I would look at the flywheel and see where it is rubbing, the starter could be in too deep and rubbing the face off the flywheel, a sheet metal shim will fix that. If the teeth are too close to the flywheel your only choice is to grind a little off the side of the starter nose so it can move over about .020, or dial in the bellhousing to the center of the crank. The factory bell can be a little funny with that starter, have seen guys bust the nose off when they tighten the bolts without the shim, I know it works perfect most of the time, sometimes not.

Thanks guys for the responses.

I will get it up on jack stands and climb under there to have a look using your suggestions. I'll check back with what I find.

Climbed underneath just recently to try and adjust the starter. I couldn't move it at all. The top of the starter mounts to a stud and the bottom mounts using a bolt. I wasn't able to wiggle it even a little after loosening both mounting points.

The one thing that I did learn was starters are matched to the tooth-count of the flywheel. Maybe the Denso starter that I bought from Mancini was not for a 130-tooth flywheel?

Normally the stud is in the bottom hole and has a 'swelled" portion between the threads. Your mentioning the starter is snug with the bolts loosened doesn't sound right. I'm wondering if the holes in the starter housing are a slightly different size wise? Or possibly it may need shimming outwards as metioned.
Only other think I can think of is trying a remote starter switch. Keep us posted

Do you know what brand flywheel your using. I have a similar noise in my 340 Duster, after I changing out the clutch and flywheel.

I wonder if the starter is hitting the block and not lining up with the ring gear. Got clearance to the block?