which is a bellhousing bolt? so there shouldnt be a ground cable on that soleniod just positive

 

You can use the long starter bolt or the bellhousing bolt above it. It doen't matter.

The solenoid should only have the (+) cable connected to it (to teminal that does not have braided wire going to starter body) and the trigger wire on the spade terminal. The (-) cable does not connect to the starter/solenoid.

The solenoid is really just a switch. When you turn the key to 'START' power goes to the spade terminal. This makes a connection from the (+) battery cable to the starter body (that braided wire you see). If you put the negative on the braided wire terminal, you will have a direct short between the (+) and (-) cables why you try to start. This is why you get the smoke/melting and why the starter isn't cranking the engine. Don't worry. Lots of people make this mistake.

 

hey thanks man u saved me a real head ache... did just like u said and it started...

 

That is great to hear.

 

Great old thread here.