Short problem small block

Happy you found 'er. LOTS of us have made that mistake in times past.

One time I had a bad battery, bought a new one.

CLEANED the battery cables, but NOT the new battery posts. They "looked" fine

Put the new battery in and it acted JUST LIKE the old one. I just could not believe it.

Finally started to think, got out the test lamp, and there we were.

I was about 17-18 when I pulled that stunt.