Alright guys im stumped on this one.

I just swapped in a new Engine into my 87 Comanche 2WD 4.0L. (the motor was from a 99 but I swapped all the sensors, and brackets over...except for the block coolant temp sensor which the block was not drilled for.)

So upon startup for the first time I plugged up my battery (which is the optima red top I use in my XJ...I used it cause the Comanches battery is weak and I knew it would take cranking the engine for awhile before it would run. This because I couldn't get the distributor timing lined up exactly so with someone cranking the motor I was going to turn it to set the timing.)

Anyways I connected the battery and all seemed well my idiot lights and radio fired up just like the normal starting procedure (for this truck at least) Then I went to start it and I look up and from the other side of the hood is white smoke meanwhile all the dash and other lights went dead like a total power loss...I quickly took the key out and went around to look. Apparently the Positive wire from the battery to the starter got so hot it actually melted the insolation around the wire and the Negative was almost as hot but not as much damage. My knowledge of this happening would mean that I have a short to ground somewhere but I don't know where considering the only main ground wire is from the negative post on the battery to the ground on the starter. Should there be a 2nd Ground wire running to the body from the Negative post? Im stumped on this one guys any help would be great.

 

Check your thread over on NAXJA.

 

Got it thanks man!