When starting it it making a lot of noise from the starter

I have a 1986 Ford Ranger 2.9 6cyl 5 speed manual transmission.

A while back, my starter went bad so I replaced it. A year later it went bad and I replaced it. 3 months later it went bad and I replaced it. Eventually the starter was only lasting a couple of days. I replaced the flywheel and starter. It acted just like it did with the old starter and flywheel. If I take the starter off and push it into what I think is the right position and torque down the starter bolts real good, it will start. But it make a loud grinding sound when the engine starts. The grinding sound only last a split second. If I turn the engine off and start it again, the grinding sound is louder and longer when the engine starts. The grinding sound is louder and last longer each time I start the engine. After 3-4 starts, the engine will no longer start. On the 3rd and 4th start, there is a grinding sound WHILE it is cranking as if it is in a bind.

My question is: What could be causing the problem if I have a new flywheel and starter installed?

Thanks in advance for your time,

Jeff

JDL,
Thanks for the response. I just installed a new battery and removed the wire going from the battery to the starter and cleaned it pretty good. I don't think the crank is in a bind because the engine runs really smooth and has plenty of power after it is cranked. The gas mileage is about the same as it always has been as well.

Could it be that my transmission is causing some sort of problem? Does the starter turn the transmission while starting the engine? I am asking because there is some vibration that seems to be coming from the transmission while driving the truck.

Also, when I replaced the flywheel, I had to pull the transmission. Could it be that the transmission bolts are not tightened properly and the transmission is not being held in the correct position to line up the starter with the flywheel?

Thanks,

Jeff

The only reason I mentioned the transmission is because the starter bolts directly to the transmission and if the transmission is not properly in place, then the starter, by default, is not in the right place and not lined up with the flywheel like it should be. Does this make sense?