Ok so I have an 87' N/A, and over the weekend I dedicated my time to change out the clutch. After all that was said and done the clutch and transmission was on, and everything was hooked back up, I had changed my battery cable teminals. The next day I went out to start it up and nothing. I had then found out that I put the battery in backwards lol (it was dark out when I put it in). I switched it up and tried to start it and the starter makes this loud *** noise I have never heard before. It just makes a loud winding sound. I have no clue to what it is. Can anyone help me out maybe tell me why it's doing that???

 

Maybe the starter is no good now, you should take it off and test it on the bench. You might as well check/replace your ground and power cables.
Johnny

 

Yeaaah...hooking your battery up backwards has every potential to destroy any and all electronic equipment...ECU...starter...all those nifty fuses too...