Could be your ign timing is too far advanced. Try retarding the timing 5-10 deg and see if it helps. Make sure you mark it so you can go back to where it was in case the engine runs better at the previous setting.

Lou

The "super-mini" starter is for a 2005-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with 5.7L V8 and manual transmission. It is the most compact starter option anyone has found yet (Thanks Dan!), but it requires some minor mods. First you have to drill out one mounting hole on the starter; one of them is threaded, but the Slant's starter bolts both go straight through and thread into the engine block. Next you have to countersink one of the bell housing bolt holes on your engine block, so you can run a flat head Allen-socket bolt into the transmission bell. The solenoid interferes with the hex bolt that normally goes there.

I probably wouldn't go this direction unless you REALLY need the space, and if so, think about having a spare on hand in case your super-close exhaust pipes end up baking it to death. These are harder to find, even at parts stores. Outside of a large city, you probably won't get a new replacement for a couple days.

Steve,

It depends on your budget and needs, both types fit any high mount starter slant six bellhousing set up with a gear reducton starter.
The old style which is easy to get in junkyards for 20-30 bucks (or you can burn up an autozone chinese special for $50...), it's much lighter than
the stock 1.5hp or 1.8hp V-8 starter. The donor vehicle is a Dodge Truck with the 3.9,5.2, or 5.9L Magnum engine 1992-1994. These are pretty
easy to maintain, I've only had to swap out the contacts on a junkyard model once for $15 and 30 minutes of bench work. This starter will require
a slight mod to the wiring terminals to fit the starter...or you can buy a replacement set that is a better fit...this unit will bolt right into the stock
bellhousing manual or auto.

The super mini Frank is talking about only comes from one mopar configuration noted above and will cost much more than the above mini,
it will fit the slant six as noted above with high starter bellhousing and gear reduction style starter and will require the mods noted above to
install.

My guess is your particular ring gear and starter and bellhousing and engine block all need to be replaced. lol.

What I mean is....it sounds as though the relationship between the two gears - the ring gear and the starter gear - is on the tight side....so tight that at one point during rotation they begin to fight with one another. That's why it sounds OK then sounds funny then OK then funny, etc.

I'd try loosening the starter and nudging it away from the centerline of the engine a little to see if that affects the noise.

And regardless, I'd toss the original starter in favor of a newer, smaller version.

The mopar OEM starters are old and have been rebuilt so many times they are junk

Huge, heavy

underpowered

and very old tech

The mini-starters described above, the newer high torque units, are a breath of fresh air for anyone used to the old Mopar starters.