Help - new engine, starter died?

[ozymandias]

Hi all,

I am in the process of putting a new motor in the suburban and finally got everything installed / wired / bolted in. I started cranking it over and got 10-15 almost catches (over 3 attempts with tuning in between), then nothing. It feels like the battery is disconnected, nothing happens, but everything is connected and getting voltage. But no lights come on and nothing happens when I turn the key. Is there anything that I'm missing? I don't think it's the starter, it was cranking strongly. Any electrical fuses / wires that would make it feel like a dead battery?

Thanks for all advice / guesses!

[cdowns]

take your battery cables off clean and then carfully reconnect should solve the problem /// lookin at them will not solve anything you need to do the work

[Gmc.guy]

If you run it too long the wires and starter will get hot and will not work any longer. Check wire connections and if that doesn't work your starter may need replacement

[A1971Blazer]

when everything dies like that.....99.9% of the time, the battery ground is bad, either at the battery or wherever it connects on the other end.....

[ozymandias]

Thanks guys, helpful to hear. I am trying it again this morning and will report back after checking the battery and ground first.

[jdw]

Did you sand /scrape the paint off the new block where the ground is?

[ozymandias]

Figured it out while checking grounds and connections - the positive cable to the starter had gotten hot and wedged against the block, causing it to short I guess. I straightened and wrapped it and everything was back to normal for the battery & starter.

Spent the rest of the morning checking wiring and timing and finally got it running! She's alive Now it's time to figure out why the thermostat isn't opening - always something...