clunk while cranking

[Callus_Darklore]

This started about 2 months ago. Every once in a while I'll turn the key and the car cranks for a sec and then there's a clunk and it stops cranking for about a quarter to a half a sec and then cranks again and starts up. Its a Stealth SOHC ATX runs and drives perfectly.

I did some googling and read something about a starter chipping the teeth off a flywheel and thought that this could be a similar situation. Anyone have any ideas?

[DIEBOG]

If the fly wheel had teeth missing I would think it would do the same thing every time you went to start it, or more often then not. But you said it does it every once and a while. How often ....few times a week, month, year? Does the starter still make a noise during the brief second it "stops cranking"? Or does the engine completely stop rotating?

[speedy25]

SO pull the cover and look at the teeth. Its very likely there are soe missing from your description.

-SP

[Callus_Darklore]

One or 2 times per week, and the engine completely stops rotating after the clunk

[Grandpa Poser]

runs perfect but engine clunks and stops rotating while cranking then resumes cranking.
mrrrrrrfffff, thinking its a misfire forcing a reverse rotation scenario during compression cycle..

check cap and rotor for carbon tracking and wires picking up an induction spark by running right next to each other.
maybe an uber rich slow burn or head gasket leaking between cylinders but neither one of those goes with "runs and drives perfectly".

missing teeth or loose starter bolts should give you a "zing" sound.

luck

[Forest Gump]

I'd verify the ignition timing.

[Grandpa Poser]

Refresh my memory, is it these cars that ran off CAS but started off CPS signals?

[Callus_Darklore]

Originally Posted by Grandpa Poser

runs perfect but engine clunks and stops rotating while cranking then resumes cranking.
mrrrrrrfffff, thinking its a misfire forcing a reverse rotation scenario during compression cycle..

check cap and rotor for carbon tracking and wires picking up an induction spark by running right next to each other.
maybe an uber rich slow burn or head gasket leaking between cylinders but neither one of those goes with "runs and drives perfectly".

missing teeth or loose starter bolts should give you a "zing" sound.

luck

I checked the distributor cap and cleaned the rotor and the contacts. There was 1 contact that had a thick layer of corrosion on it, the rest of them and the rotor was a little dirty too, I cleaned them up and the car is running a little quieter and it hasn't had that clunk since.
-Thanks

[Grandpa Poser]

welcome, sometimes it's the simple things.