98 K1500 motor swap but no start

[Schurkey]

Looks to me like the bottom three--four threads are damaged. Which probably means the threads in the battery terminal are also damaged.

Several of my vehicles have a bolt-nut-washer arrangement. Bolt with nut and washer get poked through the cable and threaded into the battery finger-tight. Nut and washer then tightened down to secure the cable. Guaranteed full engagement into all the threads of the battery terminal (maximum strength) without ever turning the fastener into the soft, lead terminal under load.

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Makes connecting jumper cables much easier, too.

The washer just spaces the nut farther out of the plastic cable end, so it's easier to put a wrench on.

 

[rdobirdman]

I had similar problems with my 96 K2500 and the side post battery bolts. After it happened one too many times I converted it to a standard top post battery and no problems since

 

[DHud]

That's helpful @Schurkey - I'll check the battery threads to make sure I don't have that problem again - and maybe even switch over to your design... Thanks!

 

[Terbob]

Schurkey: Thanks! I cranked it without firing to make sure the bearings were lubed before load is put on them… but even now, after plugging everything in, the same result is happening. It won’t even try to fire the motor - just a click, click, dead… back to life 5 mins later… Did I fry something when I unplugged the wire that goes from the distributor to the ignition coil to crack the motor?

My 96 Silverado would crank but not start after having it towed 60 miles.
Turned the key on for 20 minutes then started right up.
The dash lights does sound like a circuit breaker.
Could be ignition switch or the starter not totally grounding.

 

[Wolvrine82]

Mine is the same, only 2 terminals to that stud. I highlighted the ground as blue, which is the one I have and actual photo above. I definitely don’t have the #7 ground I highlighted as RED. I am 99.99% sure that is how my 1996 K1500 came as I purchased truck from a Chevrolet Dealership who recently purchased/acquired from original owner with on 46k on it. Virtually everything was original on the truck when purchased.

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On my 89, that ground strap goes to a stud on the passenger firewall behind the a/c accumulator for the engine to body ground.

 

[Caman96]

On my 89, that ground strap goes to a stud on the passenger firewall behind the a/c accumulator for the engine to body ground.

There’s 2 ground straps coming off of passenger side frame. One routes up and bolts to passenger side rear head and the other goes straight up and bolts to firewall near heater hoses.

 

[Wolvrine82]

There’s 2 ground straps coming off of passenger side frame. One routes up and bolts to passenger side rear head and the other goes straight up and bolts to firewall near heater hoses.

Right. I have those two and I have an additional one (the one extra one in the diagram) which goes from engine block to firewall near heater hose.

 

[Caman96]

have those two and I have an additional one

Are you trying to 1 up me? Lol,(joking).
Not sure if that’s an early design or TBI thing. My 96 definitely only had the 2 I described.

 

[Wolvrine82]

Are you trying to 1 up me? Lol,(joking).
Not sure if that’s an early design or TBI thing. My 96 definitely only had the 2 I described.

Not even sure if mine is stock. Too many things have been "betterfied" by the previous owner.