forgot to mention......................would like to thank Jay Layhe and some dumb ass Colt owner for helping me push the ol' dsm for a loooong roll start so I didnt get towed by the local " snow removal" company. The WWd is home once again.
The engine still runs tho. Since it runs and drives it stands to reason that the only problem with the flywheel could be no teeth on the ring gear but then the starter would spin but the motor wouldn't turn over. Furthermore, it also stands to reason that the starter/tranny/bellhousing are all installed properly being that the car runs and drives. Plus I believe he's had this problem before but only temporarily.
I would say are you sure that the field coil wire hanging off the starter motor is connected to the M terminal? If you're sure the wiring is correct and you're sure you have enough good fully charged CCA from the battery and you know the S terminal is getting power I would have to say the new starter is bunk because the motor in it won't turn, or the solenoid that closes between the B and M terminals is fubar. It's not unheard of to have bad new parts.
Sometimes on an electric motor when the commutator and brushes get bad it's possible for them to loose contact with each other at certain spots, it doesn't affect how they run but it can be enough that if they stop in just the right (or wrong) place the motor won't start. I would suspect that was what was wrong with your previous one but then this one does it too.
On the note of the battery are you sure you've got enough juice? Even if it is a new battery? I've had times where the dash lights up, dome light works, starter clicks but there's just not enough there to turn it over. I just say that because it's pretty cold up there and that will affect the ability of the battery to make big amps.