You shouldn't really get spark when jumpimg the solenoid unless you are touching the positive post to ground or the starter is locked up/grounded out.
If it is grounded out though you would have melted your battery cables. On the starter there is a little wire (starter signal wire)with a spade terminal inside a rubber boot(that is if the boot is still there). Take a wire and touch it from where that spade terminal goes, to the positive side of the battery or where the positive wire is hooked on the starter. I hope this helps a little.