1.  How important is this "starter seal?"  There wasn't one behind the old starter so I ordered a new one but now find out it's back-ordered.  If it IS important...can I just goop on some Form A Gasket or RTV around the connection?
2.  Turned out the housing on my old starter where there is some kind of bushing or retainer on the shaft in front of the gear has a crack around it and I didn't think that the person that would rebuild it would be able to use it again or that I'd trust it...not to mention that I just didn't get the chance all week to even get over there...I went with one of the Powermaster mini-torque starters for a few reasons.  
How do I wire it up and KEEP the Ford Solenoid on the firewall?