Do those plugs have gaskets on the bottom? They are not supposed to have them. When you replace them, take the supplied gaskets off or dont install any loose gasket: the spark plug tubes create the plug gasket on the bottom. Make sure you got that voltage regulator bolted down onto some CLEAN metal and even use a star washer to get some good contact. The E-regulator varied the ground to the alternator instead of the + voltage of old for more of a fail safe operation and the ground it varied was delivered through that case. As for ehgrinding noise, I cant really say, but a Chrysler gear reduction starter is no song bird compared to a Ford or Chebby. IF you need a new starter, get a 'mini' one from a newer RAM pickup: Smaller, lighter quieter and more torque!