Luke -

With most starters there is a big strong solenoid that thrusts a gear into the flywheel teeth and then when the engine starts there's a system that retracts the gear. The part that does all this is, to my knowledge, still called the "Bendix", the name I learned on my 1947 Chevy back in 1952.

Your symptoms sound like the Bendix is not operating correctly. The whirring sound may be the starter - prove that by standing on the left side with the hood up while someone trys to start up. The sound should come from the bottom rear of the engine. If not, something else is going on. Check it and re-post.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)