Sounds to me like the engine is catching, kicking out the Bendix gear,
but not firing on enough cylinders to keep going.
[The way it works] As soon as the engine speed is greater than the
starter is cranking it (i.e. as soon as it is firing) the ring gear
"screws" the Bendix gear (the pinion on the starter, mounted on a
high-helix-angle thread) back out of engagement. If one cylinder
fires, there might be enough speed to kick the starter out, but if
nobody picks up after that, you're lost, and have to do it all again.
Make sure the fuel and ignition are OK, and keep trying. Perhaps
a little more throttle while cranking (up to WOT, even) might help.
>
> Before I get into my new problem I'd like to thank the people who answered
> my question a few days ago. The pipe plug was from the head.
>
> Before I started to rebuild my engine I had a problem while starting the car
> where the starter would kick out before the engine would catch. The engine
> would usually be close to catching when the starter would kick out and there
> would just be a humming noise until I stopped turning the key toward start.
> I'd like to get this problem solved before I try to start my engine for the
> first time if it is ready this weekend.
>
> Chris Pappathopoulos
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