Re: starter problem
Your problem is inadequate starting current.
Can be caused by anything in the high current starting loop including starter brushes being worn, dirty armature, bad solenoid contacts (you solved this part), dirty connections, and last but not least a bad battery.
To start your engine your battery needs to whoop out somewhere around 150+ amperes while maintaining good terminal voltage; like 11+ volts.
A sulphated battery cannot do this.
Inadequate current, regardless of the reason, will not allow the starter to spin up to enough rpms to spin the bendix out......hence you had to do it by hand.
So, clean up all your terminals (take them apart and clean post and lug) and take your battery to Autozone or WW and get it tested for starting current. If that doesn't fix it go into your starter and put in new brushes and carefully polish up your armature. A little oil on the bendix gear wouldn't hurt either.
You're problem will go away.
Mark