97 XP lOCKS - UP

[MORTOYS]

Howdy AllNew SBC rebuilt engine installed, new starter, new battery.Engine turns over with plugs removed, when plugs are installed it will lock up like it was hydrolocked. Back the plugs out a little and it will turn over. I checked for contact between the plugs and the top of the pistons (none)
I made sure that I have the correct plug lenght and heat range as per spec's

 

[salmonkiller01]

check battery connections, sounds like a bad ground wire.

 

[Riverfurm]

Do a voltage drop test. Take your volt meter place it on the ground side of your battery and the other lead on the stater housing (make sure it's bare metal for a good connection) Then try to start it. If you get a reading of more then .3 volts you have a bad ground. You can also check the Pos. side to by placing the lead on the +side of the battery and the stud on the starter for the cable. More than .3 volts you have a bad connection (wires relay connection on battery) This assume that you 12.5 volts or more at the battery.