Bad noise on starting/backfiring?

My 94 RMW has started making a horrible metallic noise when starting, but only the first cold start or two. It is hard to tell, but it almost sounds like it is kicking back and throwing the starter out. I checked the ring gear and it looks good. I checked that all the bolts that hold the converter to the flex plate are tight. The starter was replaced withing the last two years and is AC/Delco. I have the brass post on the fuse box and a big new battery. The plugs and wires are new very recently. I put the scanner on it and there are no codes. The coolant sensor is working properly and the spark timing is right. I see nothing unusual on the scanner. Car runs great even cold, but the first couple of cold starts cause that noise. The only thing is, I recently bought a new car so it went from being a frequently used second car to a garage queen. Due to a defective dimmer switch (I have a new one) I can't drive it to work this time of year without coming home in the dark so it has mainly just been sitting. My thought is that it could be the Optispark because it has 177,000 miles and the Optispark is original as far as I can tell. I would thing it would show up in other ways, though. Ideas?

Here's another hint: when my buddy started it up last week, I noticed a little black smoke coming out of the right exhaust pipe. It never did that before and the gas mileage is as good as can be expected considering how I drive it.

Here's another hint: when my buddy started it up last week, I noticed a little black smoke coming out of the right exhaust pipe. It never did that before and the gas mileage is as good as can be expected considering how I drive it.

I would say your right side catalytic convertor is coming apart and when cold the loose part is blocking the exhaust momentarily until it gets pushed out of the way.The smoke you mentioned is
a result of the blockage and coated parts rattling around!