[Vwdiesel] '93 EV DSL - more bizarre goings-on

[rOLf peCHUkas]

update #2:

removed the starter
it is junk
shaft barely turns in the housing, and then with horrible grinding etc
will be lucky if they accept it as a core

flywheel ring gear has sustained damage
maybe 10 teeth have corners missing, in groups of 2 and 3
I *think* it would probably function w/ the occasional mis-start until 
I need to do my clutch

Qs:
will the damaged flywheel damage the input gear on the new starter?
can I limp along on a damaged flywheel until I need to do the clutch?
replacing the flywheel ring gear means dropping the tranny, right?
if I replace the starter but not the flywheel ring gear and wait til I 
need a clutch, can I replace the ring gear AND the starter input gear, 
assuming it gets a little tattered in the interim?
or should I just bite the bullet and replace the ring gear?
(will not need a new clutch for another year or two)

thanks

Rolf