Are you saying that for the first second or so everything is fine, then once the igntion gets power the fighting of ignition spark vs starter cranking occurs?

If this is the case, I've had Toyotas do kind of the reverse, that during cranking the timing would **** to where the engine would barely start. Once the engine did start & the starter was disengaged everything went back to normal.

I checked this by using a seperate battery for the starter & totally isolating the starter circuit during cranking. Once the draw of the starter was isolated, the ignition system worked normally while cranking.

I then replaced the distributor & haven't had a problem since.

After posting I re-read your question & noticed it seems you may have already replaced the distributor- if so- was it an aftermarket or Hyster original? I haven't had good luck with aftermaarket distributors- they seem to work correctly for a short while the have a multitude of different issues

Put a good set of silicon plug wires on to rule out your ignition wires leaking,do not run any wires under the distributor,you can also plumb in a 4 lbs n/o oil pressure switch into oil pressure gallery and tie it in series to the distributor wiring so that there is no ignition until oil pressure is achieved ,once the engine is spinning ,oil switch closes and ignition is applied.If you do both of those things it should correct the fault.
Cheers
J

it's the 3L 4 cylinder. Definitely not an issue with the starter or the 4 we changed over the last 2 months. It's almost like a pre-ignition issue. The engine simply wants to reverse itself on start up. Once it runs it is perfect.

Have you changed the starter mounting bolts if the Knurl on them is worn and they are loose in the holes this may be an issue....also does the end of the starter have a brace to support the starter...this will help also..... I take it this is a GM 4.3L Engine??