first of all, welcome to AZ & what an awesome user name.
i'm no sierra expert, but the first issue sounds like the starter motor isn't meshing properly with ring gear on the fly wheel, it could be a worn starter motor or at worst a worn ring gear. your second problem sounds like it's the thrust/release bearing. pretty cheap to replace the bearing, but the gearbox or motor has to come out... while it's apart you're better off putting a clutch kit through it & get the fly wheel machined. (clutch kit will have the release bearing)