Triumph Repair: Rebuild will not start, engine flywheel, jumper wire

Question
Howard, the results of your two tests are as follows: 8 volts at the starter and the voltage at the engine block was .38 volts.

Answer
Hi Jay,
The .38v indicates that the engine is grounded and the 8v at the starter indicates a problem in either the battery, battery connections, the starter itself or the solenoid.

So do this, First check the battery voltage (12.5+ volts).  Connect a jumper cable negative lead to the negative post of the battery. Connect the other end to the flange of the starter itself. Now connect the positive cable to the positive post of the battery and the other end to the starter connection on the solenoid. The starter should spin like an electric motor but not engage the engine flywheel. (If it is a 1500 Spitfire as you didn't tell me what year it is)
If it spins ok then connect the positive cable to the post on the solenoid that normally had the battery cable connection and at that point nothing should happen. Then with a small jumper wire connect it to the battery connection and touch the other end to the small wire terminal on the solenoid and the solenoid should click and the starter should engage the flywheel and spin the engine.

Doing this eliminates the car and it's electrical system and only uses the battery and starter motor and solenoid.
Howard