Starter whirrs

[tblank@teleport.com (Ted Blank; Webworks)]

I've just joined this list and rather than remain an innocent bystander I
am submitting the most serious of the many problems with my '80 Spitfire
(43k miles).

The starter won't crank the engine!.  I get a strong whirr from the starter
moter but it doesn't seem to be engaging the engine.  Is this a bad starter
or should I look elsewhere before considering rebuild or replace?

Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom.

Ted Blank