THere is a little wear at the face of the teeth, like the Bendix
sometimes spun before engaging.
There is also some wear at the outer edge of the flywheel gear, like the
teeth haven't been mating deeply enough to avoid wear; it's still
touching as the Bendix tooth leaves the flywheel. (a symptom it has
shown: after cranking a while, the Bendix just starts spinning as the
engine stops)
I removed the clutch cover/disc, and used two precisely-sized pipes to
hold the starter in close to its mounting position (tightened one bolt,
and the other bolt threaded right in, so I think it's real close).
The solenoid was wired to engage the gear, but the battery cable I left
off, so it only engages; doesn't crank.
When the gear teeth aren't meshing, the Bendix doesn't engage; does the
starter motor energize without the bendix all the way out?

TIA for all your help; feel free to pmail responses: rgruberj@qwest.net