I just installed a 350 long block in my 1996 Chevy k1500 Silverado. I’m having an issue and am dumbfounded on what it could be. New battery hooked up to jumper cables, installed distributor, truck will click without serpentine but as soon as I installed the belt, one click and the engine won’t turn at all; no lights.. nothing even while hooked up. I have a new starter, checked all fuses, getting fuel, etc. I am just at a dead end. It’s like all power got pulled somewhere. I have two ground wires and they are hooked to the block. Any ideas?

 

Welcome from Florida. Sounds like you are not getting a good connection with the jumper cables.

 

how are you hooking up the jumper cables? are you going directly to the battery for + and - or grounding on the engine or body? it does sound like a poor connection even on your battery. check you battery ground to engine

 

just hooking it up directly to the battery to charge it

 

if its a new bat then why charge it? those side post also can have a good bolt connection to the battery but poor terminal connection make sure you cant twist the cables at all to ensure theyre tight

 

I keep a 5/16" wrench in my lumina because of that. Has happened a couple times. First time left me stranded at coney islander, had to walk to O'Riellys to buy the wrench.

 

it was completely drained and I don’t have the side post batt, I have top terminals. After buying, I hooked it up, put engine on tdc, it would click without serp belt but after I put the belt on and tried turning it over, it clicked and died immediately. No lights, nothing; that’s why I put it on charge and tried turning it over and it still wouldn’t put lights on, acted as if I had no battery in it.

 

I changed the ground on the batt and got some results but now it’s just constant clicking like the starter isn’t engaging

 

What is the history with the starter, and solenoid? You didn't mention it in previous posts.

 

What is the history with the starter, and solenoid? You didn't mention it in previous posts. Woops, you did say it was a new starter, I'd still recommend looking at the starter/solenoid if all battery connections are tight.