head gasket or sheared key or ?

[38racing]

wouldn't start for my test run lol. of course I had stopped it with my kill lead and forgot to turn off the key. recharging battery now.

[38racing]

after recharging battery I completed another test run. then I restored the original kill wire. cranks and no start and then a backfire. I didn't persist trying to start but rather went looking at kill wire path. found both kill wire and ABS wires were pinched flat between starter and block. spliced in new pieces and routed in front of starter. Couple successful test runs. one more and I'll load it up for return.

[KE4AVB]

after recharging battery I completed another test run. then I restored the original kill wire. cranks and no start and then a backfire. I didn't persist trying to start but rather went looking at kill wire path. found both kill wire and ABS wires were pinched flat between starter and block. spliced in new pieces and routed in front of starter. Couple successful test runs. one more and I'll load it up for return.

Now that I have seen several times where others have installed replacement starters. Several would not even give problems until the engine was hot as metal clearances would smash the wire insulation enough the short out. I have learn to check for this even the occasion shows up. I haven't seen it in a couple years though.