95 KA24DE starting issue, binding/screeching intermittent

[johnagoose]

I have a 95 240SX, original owner, 190k, about a year ago went to start it and the starter made a binding noise and wouldn't turn over. waited a few minutes, started but with a screech and a slight binding feeling. checked battery (3-4 yrs old), load test, sulfuric acid test, all is strong and well. Went to mechanic (first time, just didn't feel like trying to do this on my back), changed starter. still screeched, although slightly different. long story short, 4 starters later and a new flywheel, problem seemed resolved. 2 months later it returned. intermittent but always started. changed water pump as it leaked, after water pump change was fine 6 months. now it's back. My theory: the crankshaft hold downs might be worn and the crank might have a little play, as it seemed like after I changed the pump, moving the belts on the crank pulley, it had an effect. is this possible? has anyone ever taken down the engine and does wear occur there? has anyone seen this or experienced anything like this? one of the starters before the flywheel change (the original that came out had all teeth and was worn consistently around the edge) actually got stuck spinning but did not engage flywheel, and burnt up by the time I got a wrench to remove the cable from the battery. there does not seem to be any adjustment/shim where the starter meets the engine so not sure how this can be rectified.

[OutToWinPAHC]

If your crank journals were loose of there was that much bearing play you would have more serious issues.

Is there rod knock? is the starter mounting point worn down somehow. Maybe it was a bad flywheels messing up the starters.

[johnagoose]

thanks for the quick responsei do get a little knock upon startup, I believe that is just the timing chain guides I have been reading about -but it goes away quickly. I decided to try something that I should have tried last year - I changed the battery, as it seemed the problem developed in october both times as the weather turns , and if I run the engine, stop and then start back up its fine. again the battery holds solid over 400cca with load test and cell chemical test was fine, but I have found this car rarely went over 3 years with a battery and this one is a bit older. so far so good - next few days will tell. maybe the 240 engine is a little harder to crank than the specs say and just needs a little more juice, i don't know - will post again in a week or so once i get a better feel-