On Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:26:36 -0700 (PDT), passenger 1957
wrote:

I'd still like to know if I should push for a better starter or are
they all about the same? (I don't mind spending extra money if it will
help push off a similar problem) Where might I send the fried one to
see if it's either a 'bad unit' or to see if there's some other
problem to look into?

You want the lightweight, magnetic (non-direct drive, I forget the
make offhand) actuated bendix starter. Spin faster, better starts,
all in all a better unit.