Classic/Antique Car Repair: 85 Camaro, chevy camaro, selonoid

Question
My boyfriend's 85 Chevy Camaro is p***ing him off because it usually refuses to start and when it does, it dies the minute he stops giving it gas. He has, on the advice of friends, replaced the distributor cap, the rotary cap, the fuel filter, the spark plugs and wires, and now the battery is screwed from trying to (unsuccessfully)start the car and having to recharge or jumpstart the d*** thing. I don't know a lot about cars, so I will try to describe this. When he turns the key, the car makes this RRR,RRR sound, but the engine won't vibrate (his engine vibrates when it runs). There is also a very odd grinding noise with the RRR,RRR. He is working on it himself (which might be part of the problem) and wasting his money in the process. Very frustrating to both of us (considering I paid for the car) not to mention time-consuming. PLEEEEAAAASSE HELP!!!!!!  

Answer
Sarah;
HI  well as fas as the grinding sound when starting  it is the starter or the teeth grinding, because it is   straining to start    the teeth on the selonoid are making noise. I hope the plug wires are all on right 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2- and on the cap also, and the gap on the points could be off, the fuel filter if it is the small type that go indide the carb. it could be in backwords.I would check eack item one at a time.  and what were the plugs gaped at.
and if it is poping the wires or  one could be crossed.