Electrical problem, short to ground

[gsxboost19]

ok so I finally got the talon put back together and ready to go. I put the key in the ignition and turned it to start and all i got was clicking. I figured the battery had drained a bit from sitting so long hooked up. I put a new battery in it. Same thing happened. A friend was watching the engine bay, and saw a puff of smoke. The oil feed line for the turbo was sparking on the radiator where the two touch. this blew my mind. I then put my positive lead from the volt meter on the exhaust manifold and the negative lead on a bolt on the radiator support. I got a reading of .7v with KOEO (key on engine off) and anywhere from 5v-10v KOEC (key on engine cranking). I kept the negative lead on the bolt and moved the positive lead from the manifold to the block, to the PS pump, to the turbo, to the intake, and all those places have .5-.7v KOEO and 5-10v KOEC. I then did a volt drop test on the battery. from battery positive to battery negative with key off, reading was 12.0v. KOEO was 12.0v. KOEC was 11.96v. There is almost no load on the battery. I assume I am correct coming to the conclusion that I have a short between the battery and the starter or junction box or something. I need any help or advice on how to solve this one. I dont know where to start diagnosis.

The facts are, again:

-the engine block and everything connected to it see .5-.7v KOEO and 5-10v KOEC

-there is almost no volt drop from the battery while cranking


I have been working on the car, but have done almost nothing electrical. I blew the head gasket so I just replaced it. No other modifications. All i did was pull the head and reinstall it. Please offer any advice you can so I can get this dang car on the road again.

Thanks

 

[luv2rallye]

Make sure you have a good solid connection from battery negative to a starter mounting bolt and also from battery negative to body. Disconnect both ends of both cables and clean ends with sandpaper. Also battery posts. Then reinstall tightly.

For those reading this: Make sure you use a separate cable going to the starter mounting bolt (ie. don't go battery minus to body and then body to starter bolt). The slightest extra resistance in the joint where the 2 cables meet will drop voltage there with high starter current, reducing voltage at the starter. Also future corrosion there will drop even more causing starter problems.

 

[AlaskanDsm]

I was going to suggest something wrong with the starter possibly but ^^^ This guy knows his electrical systems and if someone can help you diagnose over the web, its luv2rallye !!