There's no solenoid on the original foot starters, just the linkage from the pedal. As for the grinding, Laroke's on the right track, most likely the ring gear. You can chnage over to a solenoid type starter, but you will have to use one from a '54 or earlier passenger car or a '54 Hydro-matic truck, unless you change the flywheel to the '55-'62, then you could use starters up to '62 from passenger, truck Hydro-matic '55-59, or any truck '60-'62. I do beleive that napa has reman units, not sure about actual "new" starters though.
