Starter gear chipped. Does it need replacing? [Pics inside]

[ChiGGz]

I've had a host of problems leading up to now where my starter only clicks and won't turn the engine. What really pisses me off is I have a new Fidanza flywheel and from the looks of it from the inspection cover, it's been grinded a bit.

1. Anyways, from the looks of this pic, how bad do you think the damage is on the starter gear (i'm guessing 2-3mm has been shave off the tip? Does it need to be replaced?

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2. I was taking out the starter when I noticed the starter bolt closest to the block had back out to the point where I could hand turn it out. Would this be the cause of my starter only clicking but not turning the engine? This most likely caused the grinding I'm assuming. I didn't hear anything turning, so I'm not sure if the starter was freely spinning or not.

3. The ground was connected to a third bolt and not the second starter bolt. So going from the firewall -> engine (ground bolt, second starter bolt, first starter bolt.) Is the ground supposed to connect to the second starter bolt?

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

if its grinding down your 500 dollar flywheel, I would change it ASAP

 

[ChiGGz]

I'm wondering if this wasn't a result of the starter bolt backing out . Maybe it's still usable?

 

[90mitsu]

the ground wire can be on either bolt that wont matter as long as its grounded i would try the stater one more time with bolts tight and if it clicks and wont turn the engine over its time to replace it do the same if it grinds