Diagnosing Starter Solenoid?

[Kevin Trent <trentkc@domain.elided>]

My '73 GTV has a starter problem that is accentuated by cold 
temperatures.  The symptom is that when you hit the starter, it clicks and 
spins up, but does not engage the flywheel.  If I keep bumping the starter, 
it will eventually hit the flywheel and result in a normal start.  After 
the car is has been driven and warmed up, the number of bumps to engagement 
is "normal".  Cold temperatures below 25f can require as many as two dozen 
bumps or more, and there is a somewhat linear relationship such that at 
summertime 70+  temperatures it nearly always catches on the first bump or 
three.

This is my second winter with this car.  At the end of last winter, I had 
removed and examined the starter and solenoid, and cleaned grime and 
corrosion, hoping the problem was a result of it's previous long 
non-running status.  My pre installation bench test showed a  full length 
extension of the starter pinion to its limits.  Apparently that "cure" 
coincided with spring - now the "cold temperature effect" on the solenoid 
is back and prevents it from pulling the pinion the full length required to 
engage the flywheel.

Does this sound like a solenoid failure?

Thanks, //kct, Powell, TN
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