I'm pretty sure my starter is shot but wanted to get a second opinion.
FOr a few weeks at least my start has been weak. When the key is turned a charge is given, it sounds like the starter motor is turning and then afer 3-5 seconds, the engine cranks for 3-3 seconds and then starts. While working on other problems I've been starting the engine a lot. Now it doesnt start at all. The starter motor is spinning but now there is no crank at all. This seems like the starter to me. Can anyone verify this? I want to make sure it isnt the solenoid. I'm drawing a blank on the name right now but I rememebr hearing of a nut that goes into the gas tank that maintains fuel pressure for a proper start. It isnt this is it?

Does anyone have any advice on replacing the starter? It looks pretty straight forward, but then so did the fuel filter until I couldnt get the banjo bolts off. Should the solenoid be replaced with the starter or is this unnecesary?

I hope you'll get a reply from someone more knowledgable than I, but that sounds more like the solenoid than the starter motor. What seems strange to me is that the starter motor would run before being engaged by the solenoid. Could this be a wiring problem? I see from your other posts that this is an '87 -- is that the last year of the bad wires or the first of the good ones?

There is a check valve on the main fuel pump that's supposed to maintain pressure in the fuel line, nowhere near the tank. Is that what you're thinking about? I don't think that would cause your problems even if it were missing.

And with respect to the AMM -- did you try disconnecting it and see if that allows the car to start? I don't know anything about it, but I've seen that as the first test in diagnosing the AMM.

If the starter motor is spinning, or trying to turn, but is not cranking the engine then it is definitely a fault in the starter, assuming the battery is OK of course.
It may be a worn out starter, or it may just be dirt. The best thing is to remove the starter and have a look.
There are two big bolts holding it. The bottem one is easy, but the top often causes problems. Most people swear by sockets with long extensions and swivels. My method is to use a ring spanner put on backwards, ie so that the handle is angled clear of the firewall. Once you have started it and put on some lubricant it generally comes undone quite easily.
You can test a starter direct on a battery with some heavy jump leads. Clip one lead onto the body, for earth, and the other on the big terminal that you disconnected to remove. Use a heavy screwdriver to short between that terminal and the other big terminal. It is not used, but has a bit of HD braid going to it.
This will bypass the solenoid. If the motor works it will kick and jump all over the place. If OK, connect to the normal terminal and try a smaller lead to the solenoid terminal. If this fails to activate the starter, then either the solenoid is faulty, or the engagement mechanism is sticking. You can unscrew the solenoid and inspect, and generally clean all the parts.
I don't think it is worth doing any more, like replacing brushes etc. Just get another secondhand one. They will test it for you as I described at the yard.

Another possibility is worn pinion teeth on the starter, or a worn cogged ring on the flywheel. You can inspect the flywheel once the starter is off.

Okay, Thanks. I also found out about a place that will test the starter and rebuild it if its shot. It seems like a pretty good chance its the starter. I couldnt find any bad grounds or connections so its probably worth taking it out. I doesnt seem like it should take that long.
I also found something interesting on the startet itself. It looks like there should be two small wires coming out of it. At least there are two terminal, node thingies. THe one has the blue green wire but the other doesnt have annything connected to it at all. It looks like its been that way for a while though and there are no unconnected wires anywhere near there.
Anyway, Thanks.