Starter making banging noise but works

[grewvin1]

1987, merc. 5.7L starter turns engine over well and engine will start but as it cranks there is this bang, bang, bang or clunk clunk hard to put accurate word to it, as it cranks. I turn engine over by slave sol. and feel the solenoid on top of the starter and feel the banging at the tail end where the wires bolt on. There is no banging at the drive end where the bendix drive is. There was no issue at the end of season but was there at first start up this year just appeared. Bolts are stuck in tight how many have busted off the mtg. bolts ? have long johnson bar with pipe on end in order to get enough torque bolt slightly turned but feels like it is twisting off not turning out. Thoughts?

 

[alldodge]

Depending on how fast the bang happens would lean me to think the starter or the flywheel. If it is very rapped then maybe the starter, if slower then maybe flywheel. Bolts can and do snap off, but the starter needs to come off.

 

[Bondo]

Bolts can and do snap off, but the starter needs to come off.

Ayuh,..... 'n unfortunately, there ain't many tricks for gettin' out the busted bits, til the motor is on a stand,...

Saltwater boat,..??

 

[grewvin1]

Fresh water boat, but feeling where the bang is coming from seems to be the tail end of the solenoid was fine at winter shut down but first start in spring was there can't think a gear tooth would fall off in the winter.