Jeep Wagoneer engine noise?

I have a 1989 Jeep Wagoneer with a straight 6. I have about 240K miles on it now. When I attempt to begin the engine it turns over shortly for about two seconds . The engine then jerks, shudders and makes a awful sound. it's a "whurring" and soft scraping sound that occurs as the engine turns over. To me it sounds like a piston is sliding against the wall. The turning over, then whurring sound occurs in cycles if I try to begin the engine for some seconds. Any ideas?

It may be the pollution pump is locking up. you may want to run a compression check on the cylinders. attempt taking the belts off and see if it still happens, if it does you got problems. 240k is lots of miles particularly for a Jeep.

hard to figure out what you're reporting, it may be your flex plate is broken, or the starter is making sound on the flywheel, you don't say auto or standard,

best thing to do if you think it's still engine related is to take off all the belts from the engine, then attempt again and if the sound goes away, you know it's a part hanging on the engine, maybe alternator, smog pump, AC compressor pulley, power steering pump, etc.