Starter clicks using the key, engine starts by jumpering the relay

67Dart273 said
Not trying to lecture, but it didn't occur that was important? We all should keep in mind, that, whether Mopar, GM, or Ford, those guys did NOT SPEND A DIME (or a nickel!!!) on something that was NOT required to make a vehicle operate.

I recommend a better ground. Your engine, where LA or B/RB, has at least one bolt hole on the end of the head. Get a short bolt, make sure it does not bottom, and bolt a Ford style "starter cable" AKA an eyelet to eyelet cable--from the head to the firewall. Sometimes the master cylinder studs work for that. Otherwise, find a spot on firewall, drill through, scrape clean, and bolt the cable to the firewall.

Also some these girls had 1 or 2 small grounding flex cables from the block to the firewall.

I respect your opinion a lot, and I deserve a little bit of a lecture when I do stupid things like ignoring problems like that missing ground.

I do have a braided style ground strap going from the rear of the passenger side head to the firewall. However, the small ground wire on the battery cable is missing.

I’ve been replacing wiring as I can afford it, but in the meantime I think it would behoove me to at least go through and make sure I’ve got good grounds and connections.