Ford Repair: starter motor, mercury capri, pinion drive

Question
i just bought a 1980 mercury capri 200ci 3.3l inline six with auto transmission i have a problem with the starter it makes this really loud scraping sound when the car starts then it then it doesn't completely stop but it it just kinda chirps but then when i put the car in reverse it starts making the same noise just like it does right after the engine starts. i tightened one of the mounting bolts and took of the thin sheet metal shield off and it didn't make it when i started the car but it still made it when i put the car in reverse. i don't know if it is going to do it when i start it in the morning because i only started the car once after i took off the shield because it was 10 pm and i have bitchy neighbor so i don't know if it stopped completely when i start it but lets just say the it does to be safe. there is a bolt missing on the bell flywheel housing would it be that it is rubbing against that when it vibrates? or would it be something else? it is a real bummer because i fell in love with this car as soon as i test drove and it didn't have these problems. can you please help me out?

nater

Answer
Nater:

Odds are that the starter bendix is sticking causing the pinion drive on the starter to stick partially engaging the flywheel.  While the missing bellhousing bolt may be to blame and should be addressed either way.  Odds point to the starter staying engaged.

Patrick