'30 Universal; I have a '30 that has been starting and driving. There is good spark and the engine has been firing w/out much problem. Yesterday, the engine would not turn over. It was cranking and then there was a grinding noise. Not the most helpful description, but any thought.

Either the starter drive gear or the teeth on the flywheel have taken a hike. Have someone else attempt to start the engine and you look under the hood at the starter and see if you can determine where the noise is coming from. If it comes from the area of the starter, remove it and check the drive gear and look inside the hole and examine the flywheel teeth.

added to the last posts' good advice; check the bushing at the bendix end of the starter. when they are worn the bendix gear doesn't engage the fly wheel squarely and creates one hell of a drag on the starter and an equal drain on the battery. after fixing this in our '30 chev. coupe, starting is strong and sure. jim