Here's an update (and a few questions) on our engine rebuild.

We finally got all the Tab A's put in to the correct Slot B's, and the engine was ready to put back in the car last weekend. I wouldn't really describe this as a great husband-wife event (just the two of us did this! , but we survived (didn't even run over my foot this time). Then began the task of connecting the electrical and vaccum hoses, which are different on the 1985 vs the 1981. We opted to go with the 1981 plan because we are using a 1981 motor/trans in a 1985 car (and we were able to copy the wiring that is in our daily driver, also a 1981). The speedometer connection is totally different between the two years. Anyway, it's back in the car, all the vaccum lines and electrical hooked up.... and of course it won't start. Nothing would be that easy. The glow plugs light up, then nothing. Totally flat when you turn the key.

So, my questions are: (but feel free to jump with any advice you think might help).

1. Is there a way to check a starter when it's off the car (we have a second starter but since it's such a bear to replace it, it would be nice to know it worked for certain). We haven't determined the starter is the problem, just trying to rule it out.

2. The Haynes manual talks about testing the starter by hooking a switch up to terminal 30 and 50, which hubby did. When he flips the switch, you can hear the selenoid click and that's it. It should try to turn over, shouldn't it? (Which is why he thinks it might be the starter)

3. I was going to try to post the wiring diagrams for the 1981 vs 1985, but with the size I am allowed to post I think they will be completely illegible. If anyone has the online manual, perhaps you could check. There is an item #50, which on the 1981 diagram is inside the starter lockout switch. In the 1985 it is inside it's own box outside of the starter lockout switch. What is it? Could it be somehow that it is still locking us out somehow??

Thanks!

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Natalie