Triumph Repair: Rebuild will not start, volt meter, voltmeter

Question
I have rebuilt the engine and installed a new battery on my Spitfire and the car will not turn over. The engine can be turned using the nut on the crankshaft, but when you turn the key you hear the solenoid click but the engine will not turn over. I have taken out the starter and it spins with no problems when it is out of the engine. Could this be a solenoid problem or possibly a weak starter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jay,
You need to run some tests to find out what is wrong.
First check the voltage at the starter when you try to start the engine. Then check to see if there is any voltage at the engine block when you try to start the engine. Do that by placing the negative lead of the volt meter on the negative post of the battery (not the cable end) and put the positive lead of the voltmeter on a metal part of the engine when you try to start the engine.

Let me know what readings you get on both tests and I will give you the next test.
Howard