73 Duster Starter Grinds

[gnarly6x6]

Hello, I'm new to the Mopar World. I come from the air-cooled VW World.

I bought a 1973 Duster 340 yesterday. Ocassionally, not always, when starting it grinds. I've read elsewhere that this likely means that the starter is shot or maybe missing a shim? Does that sound right?

I've read that many people are replacing their starter with mini starters out of Dodge Rams. Can anyone tell me what years and models are compatible?

Pics attached.

 

[gnarly6x6]

I spent some time working on it today. I had to remove the driver's side tie rod and steering link from the center link in order to get the starter to come out. It still wouldn't come out. The back of the starter is hitting the Hooker Header. So now I'm working on dropping the header and hoping that will give me the clearance I need.

 

[camd64]

Take a look at the teeth on the starter and the ring gear on your converter/flywheel. Could be the starter gear not coming out far enough to make good contact and grinding up the teeth. The rams/vans/dakota's have the same basic starter so just tell them it's for a '96 ram 1500 5.2 auto.