Hot battery cables

[cdiedrick]

I just put my engine back in my bird, and when I go to start it, it turns really slow. My hood is not on yet, and I do notice the negative battery cable jumping when I engage the starter. Naturally I was curious, so I touched the cable and the cable was incredibly hot. Both cables actually. The car did not have this problem before I pulled the engine so I am confused. Everything is grounded, and terminals are clean. Battery is new, starter is not that old, nor is the solenoid. Any ideas?
Chris Diedrick

 

[g_lower]

do you have another starter to try in it? that would be my first test.

 

[cdiedrick]

Same old situation

I found that my torque convertor was not in properly and was binding. The problem still persists though. hot battery cables. I am getting the starter checked tomorrow getting new cables, and checking the battery also.
Thanks in advance
Chris Diedrick

 

[JoeD]

It sounds like an excessive amount of current is being drawn when you try to start the engine. I didn't notice if the reason you pulled the engine was to have it rebuilt. If so, are you sure it was reassembled to specs and there isn't anything binding? Without the plugs (to relieve compression), you should be able to turn the engine over by hand. Also, if this is the first time you're starting it, you may want to prime the engine oil pump and the engine first before cranking it. There are tools that allow you to spin the oil pump with an electric drill or you can make one by using the shaft out of a junk distributor.



Joe