Working on the 318 coronet I pulled home. When I go to start it I hear the solenoid kick out but it won't crank. The weird thing is, if I try it again it won't click at all. I have to disconnect the battery and try to crank it again to get the solenoid to click again.

I cleaned the ground, the battery posts and cables. That battery was fully charged.

Next thing I tried was jumping the solenoid with a screw driver. Same thing as turning the key. If I disconnect the battery and reconnect it I can get it to click but nothing more.

I tried taking a long screw driver and giving the starter some good whacks. Still no luck.

What should I check? I'm thinking its not the neutral safety switch, and its not the starter solenoid since it won't crank even if I jump it across the two terminals...