What can cause a starter solinoid to go bad?

I've gone through 3 of those in the last three years or so even with new battery cables. I wonder if the cause is cheap, shoddy manufacturing (probably in China).

I would probably point to the battery cables too. I'm sure they aren't helping and are placing more load (and heat) to be transferred to the solenoid. I've also seen this caused by bad fuseable links too (on older cars anyway). Sometimes they just get old and crap out. The one on my 88 GT crapped out 3 days after I bought it Get some new cables and take the solenoid back for a new one. I think that would fix your problem. One of my good friends had an intermittent starting problem with his mint 1991 Bronco XLT. The battery cables looked pretty good yet (at least the insulation) but he picked up new ones and it fixed the problem. Later we cut the insulation off some of the old cables and it was just packed with corrosion. Hope this helps

P.S. How is the polishing going on your 10-holes? I'd really like to see them once you get them finished Long live the 10 holes

Dumb question?? What does SSP stand for?? I agree change your cables can do nothing but good.