need some help!

[74chev4x4]

so I got underneath and found I fried the wires to the starter, cleaned them up and spliced in some new wire and connectors to the starter and bought a new starter.  Now I have power inside the cab again, fan is running wipers work.  Hooked up the new starter and have it on the ground to see if it works and nothing?  Checked all fuese I could find and none are blown, is there another fuse I should check or something else anyone can think of, I don't think its the new starter cause the old one wouldn't do anything after I fixed the wires so I went and bought a new one.

[ccz145a]

Two of the wires to the starter are fusable links, were they the ones fried? If they were replaced with full-size wire and the cause has not been found then your truck might catch fire. I recommend you disconnect the battery until this is sorted out.

[74chev4x4]

Where is the fusible link at on these wires? Yea the one going to the battery was cooked!

[74chev4x4]

just thought of this this morning, could it be the coil?

[74chev4x4]

pulled the coil out and one of the wires was a little fried, replaced it and still nothing, good God did I mess up the distrbuor also.  What else would give power to the starter?

[80stepsideguy]

In the case your in now i suggest you replace the harness.Just from the firewall forward .There not expensive and be a great insurance policy in this case...


thanks
pat

[74chev4x4]

where would I find the harness from the firewall forward?  I wish I knew what blew cause I hate to keep throwing parts at it.  not sure what else to check.  It did smoke from the block on the firewall above the motor where the power wires connect with the ring connectors, not sure if that is a fuse thing or not?

[bobcooter]

One more thing to consider. Did you get the ground wire hooked back up correctly after you reinstalled the engine? I did not put mine back correctly after I rebuilt my engine and I had sparks jumping off my transmission linkage! I reconnected the ground wire to the a :)lternator bracket and everything worked fine then.  Just thinking... 

[74chev4x4]

which ground wire, from the starter?  I might not have, I will check for it.

[ccz145a]

which ground wire, from the starter?  I might not have, I will check for it.

No, From the block to the cab.

The fusible links are on two of the small wires (12ga??) at the starter, insulation is softer and the are 2ga smaller but the insulation is thicker and are meant to burn before the harness fries.

[74chev4x4]

I have one from the block to the cab, nice new big strap.  Yea the wire melted right at the starter and I replaced it, but it still doesn't want to kick on, when you turn the key the fan, radio stops like it is going to start, but the starter does nothing?  I hate electrical issues!

[VileZambonie]

Do not bolt the flexplate to the converter until the bellhousing bolts are ALL in and torqued. Your wires at the B+ terminal on the starter solenoid are fusible links and need to be replaced with fusible links not regular wire.
 
See here http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11972.0

Make sure before you repair them that the wires are not pinched in the bellhousing or chafed and rubbing on anything. Reinstall them on the same B+ terminal as the battery cable and be sure it's routed correctly away from the exhaust. Your negative battery cable should be going directly to the cylinder block with a clean tight connection.

Check your fusible links at the alternator and junction block also.

[74chev4x4]

VileZambonie, I already bolted it up to the convertor so what did I screw up by doing this.  Should I just run new wires(fusible links) to the starter and to the fuse block?  I really screwed this thing up!

[74chev4x4]

OK tested the wires going to the starter and I have voltage on the two going to the larger terminal on the starter and the smaller wire going to the smaller bolt on the starter has no voltage of course I was by myself so I couldn't test it while I was turning the key.  I have a 4th wire coming down near the starter that has 12 volts going through it, but I cant remember if this goes to the starter or not?  Should there be three wires of four?  Is there another fuse or silinoid that could be blown that is not allowing it to start?  Thanks guys I know its getting a little long winded just trying to get her running again!

[VileZambonie]

Which wire do you have going to the alternator post?