Classic/Antique Car Repair: Starter/solenoid got wet..., starter solenoid, bosch starter

Question
Hi,

Thanks in advance for answering this question.

I have 95 Lincoln Towncar.  A month ago I got caught in a tornado.  Drove through 1-2 feet of water.  Left car running for a while afterword, hoping for the best.  But I have a small problem--sometimes the car won't start:I turn the key and get nothing.  I do this a few more times, and then the car starts.  I suspect its the starter and/or the solenoid.  The problem seems better, but sometimes it still happens.  The car has never not started.  I have three questions:

1) Do you think the starter/ solenoid will probably keep working as it is, or should I replace them?

2) If I don't replace them, do I risk damaging other electronic components?

3) If I do replace them (I bought a new Bosch starter, just in case), do you think that will lead to needing a new alternator, voltage regulator, etc.  I've had the experience before where even if a new part is matched to the car (the Bosch is matched to the 95 Towncar), one new part seems to put a strain on the older parts, then they fail and I have to replace them all.

I appreciate your thoughts on this.

Regards,

Scott

Answer
I would replace the starter as you have the new one. I do not think that you will damage any other electronic stuff but you risk having it not start at the worst possible time. I do not hold with the theory that replacing one part causes other parts to fail. Most of the time those parts had been running for the same length of time that the replaced parts was in use. As such, it was just time for the others to require service too.