Thanks for the posts. I'll try it.

To add to Dans' fine advice.....you may wish to clamp it in a vice or put on the floor underfoot.(workboot)
Some big electric motors like that will twist pretty quickly as they spin up under no load and could end up hitting or breaking something.
Some don't, too.
Better to be on the safe side.

Yes. Use a screwdriver or other thick metal to cross the two terminals. You don't want to clamp a wire onto the terminals as your first test will be just to spark the solenoid to see if it moves and you want to be able to disconnect quickly.  If the starter is out of the car, don't forget to add a ground from the shell of the starter (e.g. where it bolts on) back to the battery!

Possible starter problems:
 - low battery not strong enough to engage the solenoid and spin the starter motor under load.
 - sticking or failed solenoid
 - sticking or failed Bendix drive
 - failed windings or brushes in the electric motor.

This starter is the type that has the solenoid attached to it. Has the large threaded screw for positive, smaller threaded screw for negative.

Large blade and a small one about half the size. I'm thinking a jumper wire across the blades meaning just a touch to see if it will engage. Am I correct? 

Thanks Jim