<VV> Broken starter queston

[Kerry and Jan Born]

Hi,

Since I am the proud owner of a starter with a broken snout I have to 
ask a question that may be unanswerable...?

I replaced the starter and, at least so far, it seems ok, though I am 
not so sure it is right, nothing that I can put my finger on, but an 
uncomfortable feeling. I guess it just doesn't sound quite the same as 
before...

A breif explaination/history, Original starter would occasionally suffer 
from the click, click symdrome, but would start the car eventually 
somtimes going several starts w/out issues.  Clutch was replaced, 
pressure plate rebuilt etc. Flywheel is bolted. At that time solenoid 
was also replaced. First attempt at starting the car the new solenoid 
failed to engage even with several attempts. (click click) Then when it 
did engage, it sounded horrible though the car started.  This pattern 
continued into the next day, then the starter failed to engage at all, 
making a bad grinding sound but not cranking the engine. Removing the 
starter the next morning revealed the cracked snout. The new starter 
worked as advertised when replaced, no click click.  (Please note that 
b/4 original starter died, I did take it back out and look for anything 
that might be wrong, including a crack, though it's possible I didn't 
see it..???

My thinking, (or prayer??) is that the 'new solenoid' , or old bendix 
had a problem and caused all of this greif...

So here is my question, How long (or how many starts??) b/4 I can again 
feel safe taking the car out somewhere where I'll have to REstart it....?

Kerry Borgne, 1963 Spyder Convertible