Technical Starter/ ignition switch woes

Hey fellas,
I should be watching the Super Bowl but got caught up working on my hot rod instead. I haven’t driven the car for a while due to work, life and weather. Last time I drove it I had no issues. Today, going to start the car I turned the switch and can only hear the ford solenoid click but no action from the starter. Tested the starter off of a jumper cable and all is good.

Here’s the lowdown of the car:
31 roadster
327 SBC manual transmission, alternator
Summit hi torque mini starter
Rear mounted battery, battery fairly new and kept on a trickle charger during storage
****ery shutoff switch - functioning.
Ford starter solenoid and switch mounted in close proximity to the battery.
Battery cable runs to starter. Cable is heavy duty and appears to be in great condition.
from what I can tell I don’t see any damaged wires or connectors (still need to go through it carefully)

when I turn the key, the ford solenoid clicks but the actual starter does nothing.

where should I look? Could this be the ignition switch?

thanks in advance.

 

I recall buying the switch from SoCal years ago but it’s basically this style.

 

A little more info about how you jumped the starter. Like from where, did you only spin the starter motor with no flywheel ingagement ect.

 

If the solenoid is working , the ignition switch is likely OK. A dirty battery cable connection or ground could allow enough current to energize the solenoid, but not the high amperage draw for the starter...or the solenoid is bad.

 

Thanks guys. I tested the starter out of the car using jumper cables from battery to the starter. The ford solenoid is clicking but crickets at the actual starter and its solenoid. I don see anything obvious. I’ll have to get a test light or multimeter and poke around

 

Run a jumper cable from the neg post of the battery to the block,
Then try pos post of the battery to the solenoid/relay,
Then try again from the solenoid/relay to the starter.

To eliminate the possibility of the switch, jump a small wire from the 12v+ side of the solenoid/relay to the Ignition "S" side.
If all is good but not with the ignition switch cranking , it could be the switch.

You actually don't need a Ford solenoid/relay with a summit mini-starter , the starter already has a solenoid.
You can connect this direct to the battery and the solenoid direct to the ignition.

If you have used a Ford solenoid/relay "in-series" usually the solenoid on the starter is bridged ...... check this