starter check?

You can't really check them with jumper cables as many don't provide enough current flow.......poor connections and too small wire, generally

The right way is a carbon pile load tester and a multimeter. Otherwise, Test it with a multimeter all hooked up "normal."

You can jumper the starter solenoid right at the starter......just bridge the small and the large terminal.

If it does not crank, "rig a meter from the engine block to the battery NEG post. Not the battery clamp, stab right into the battery post. jumper the solenoid and read the meter. More than a few tenths of 1 volt means the battery and or clamp connections are bad.

Same deal on the hot side. Clip your meter to the large post at the starter, stab the other probe into the top of the POS battery post. Crank and read. Same as above

If that tests OK and it won't crank, double check voltage by clipping your meter onto the engine block and the large starter stud. Crank and read. You should have an absolute minimum of 10V at the starter, more the better

To figure out how much current it is drawing, you need a carbon pile. Even after measuring amperage, you still don't know if the starter is drawing too much or the engine is attempting to seize. You have to use your head. if this is cold, and you can wrench the engine over 'as normal' then engine is likely not "tight"

Amperage draw depends on starter. There were at least two or three starter motor configurations "back then" and the newer pemanent magnet/ mini starters are quite different