So my '78 Camaro starts everytime, but when I go to start it, it clicks real fast as usual and then most of the time, starts turning over until she fires. But then there are some times when it clicks and then a buzzing sound as though the start is spinning and it doesn't try turning over. Turn key off and try it again and it can do one or the either. It does always start though, it has just been doing this for a while. Am wondering if maybe the starter isn't engauging sometimes or what? Anyone have any ideas for me on this? What to check and all? Anyway to tell for sure if starter is bad. Should I just replacing it as I am restoring her anyhow? Thanks much for any input you can give!

The problem sounds like the selenoid on top of the starter. Take it and get it tested, not a hard fix.

If the starter spins, but the engine doesn't turn, your starter drive (Bendix) is worn out. If you hear clicking and the starter doesn't turn itself or the engine, it could be either the solenoid hanging up, or the starter drive hanging the solenoid up. Since you describe both symptoms, I'd bet on the starter drive.
You can buy a starter rebuild kit for about $10-15 that includes new brushes, bushings, thrust washers, and the starter drive. Rebuilding your own starter is a much better way to go than replace yours with a rebuilt starter. Most rebuilds you buy are poorly done and won't work any better than what you have right now.
You can buy a new starter, but they will be costly, and rebuilding the one you have might work just as well, and save you a lot of money.

Like stated above it sounds like your bendix is going bad.

I have to disagree with the rebuilding idea. These style of starters are bad in every way imaginable low power, high draw, big, and heavy. You can find some damn good starters for cheap on my friend Ebay. I bought one for like $60 and its a super high power mini starter and it was even waranteed. Still have it running great on my car and what a difference between it and the stock one. If you go for the rebuild chances are more things are just gonna break a little while later, that clicking noise yours makes is probably the sound of the plunger engaging the drive so it may be possible that your starter might be off of the flywheel a bit so I'd check that out.

I have to disagree with the rebuilding idea. These style of starters are bad in every way imaginable low power, high draw, big, and heavy. You can find some damn good starters for cheap on my friend Ebay. I bought one for like $60 and its a super high power mini starter and it was even waranteed. Still have it running great on my car and what a difference between it and the stock one. If you go for the rebuild chances are more things are just gonna break a little while later, that clicking noise yours makes is probably the sound of the plunger engaging the drive so it may be possible that your starter might be off of the flywheel a bit so I'd check that out.

I bought one of these Ebay specials for about $70.

It was never right, sometimes it would catch, sometimes it wouldn't. It lasted about 2000 miles, then I got to pay to get it towed home.

If you're going to buy a starter, go buy a GOOD starter, not one of the cheap Ebay POS's. Rebuild your own or buy a good, quality starter. Powermaster makes a good one, for not much more than an Ebay starter and a tow to your house.

Dunno if this applies but I've got a Roadmaster, which is an Impala SS clone. When I needed a starter for the LT1, I went through 3 POS starters from diff auto parts stores, before I finally ended up getting a GM starter from a GM supplier. Was amazed at all these crappo starters they handed me. Some of them didn't look anything like the starter I took off! The one's that did, from NAPA I believe, had the cheapest solenoids I've ever seen. I actually broke them while trying to put the cables on. The one that I did get hooked up would run continuously with the key off!

Other than that, I've never had any trouble with rebuilds that used to look exactly like the one that you took in for a core. I guess those days are over? :(

I have never rebuilt a starter before or even attempted to. Sure are a lot of mixed thoughts here. Am thinking maybe it is best just to go with a GM one. Some things you can go a little cheap on, but the last thing I hate to have happen when somewhere is not to be able to start at all.

Other ideas on brands, etc...?

Thanks much.