The previous starter didn't have one so the new one wouldn't need one would it? How could I check to see if it needed one?

Sorry to ask so many questions on this, never had a starter give me this much trouble before.

 

these starters are for a multitude of different GM vehicles, so if the one you took out didn't have one doesn't mean you won't need one for this starter - the bendix has to be within a certain "range" - for a lack of better terminology - or alignment to mesh against the flywheel teeth when it's thrown out

 

I just broke down and traded it in. Yesterday was the first nice day without rain in a long time and I just traded it out at Advance and this one works well. Thanks for the help though.