Engine swap, starter won't engage

[GreenBeast93]

hey folks. I had a mechanic do an engine swap for me and now when we go to start the new engine the starter wire heats up and the relay only clicks once.
I can't tell if the starter is unable to turn and that's causing the hot wire. I removed the starter and had it tested, came back fine, the wires get power when the key is turned.
So I have this brand new engine installed(new short block from ford, rebuilt cylinder heads, all new parts and JBA headers to magnaflow cat) and it won't even start.
Did the back yard mechanic do something wrong during the install that would prevent the starter from being able to engage?
Or could the wiring be bad? The truck started and ran when I took it to the mechanic, with the new engine in the back.
My only guess now is to pull the engine and reinstall.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[yostyexplorer94]

Try turning the crank by hand with a breaker bar to see if the engine is capable of being turned over.
Are all the ground wires back in place?

Does the starter run not bolted in?

 

[FR-425]

Another potential screw up would be that he did not get the torque converter all the way into the transmission and that is causing it to bind.

Definitely try to turn the engine by hand.

If it won't turn by hand I would check the torque converter first. Easier to pull the trans back than to pull the motor.

 

[GreenBeast93]

Try turning the crank by hand with a breaker bar to see if the engine is capable of being turned over.
Are all the ground wires back in place?

Does the starter run not bolted in?

The starter runs when not bolted in. I watched the starter work when hooked up to a machine.
All wires were put back to their original spot.
I appreciate the advise, I'm going to see if I can turn by hand and pull the trani And check torque converter.

 

[RangerX]

Your profile says you have a 5 speed, is that correct?

 

[GreenBeast93]

Your profile says you have a 5 speed, is that correct?

Yes that is correct.
Five speed 4x4 XLT 1993

 

[FR-425]

Ok, never mind the torque converter.

 

[RangerX]

Is this the same starter you had in the truck with the old engine, or is this a different starter?

 

[GreenBeast93]

Is this the same starter you had in the truck with the old engine, or is this a different starter?

Same starter, I installed the current starter three years ago. When i took the starter out and had the auto parts store test it, they said it came back working fine.