So, if anyone has read the thread about the AL49X alternator I'm trying to install, well, I started today. I was unbolting the main + cable connection from the starter solenoid when the badness happened. I broke off the terminal, with a chunk of the plastic solenoid housing still on it. I sheared the copper inside (!!) I really didn't have much pressure on it, just a little cresent wrench! Anyway, I needed the car in a few hours so I tried to rig something together. I drilled a hole in the remaining copper inside the solenoid and tried to tap a bolt into it. Kind of a shoddy job, but I thought it might work. No such luck; it shorted out when I hooked the battery back up. Lots of sparking and such.

Now I'm really mad. I leave everything as is, and just got back to the house now. I looked up threads, and auto parts stores' prices on starter solenoids. What should I do, the solenoid is almost as much (and in some cases more) than the starter! It might not hurt to replace the old starter, it looks pretty old. But, it seems they are a chore to get off. I couldn't get the solenoid off of the starter in the car though. I didn't try too awful hard though, I didn't have a real reason to.

Please, I could use some advice here. If anyone has been here, let me know. Thank you all in advance.

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'79 240D 4 speed manual 105k miles