I went to take out the '70 (BB) out yesterday which I keep in a detached garage with the battery negative post unhooked from the car and a battery tender on the battery. I unhook the battery tender, push the car out of the garage (it makes a mess on the floor when starting after a long nap), anyway, I go to start it, turn the key, realize the battery is still unhooked, leave the key in the "run" position accidently, and hook the battery up. Almost immediatly smoke comes out from under the hood; I disconnect the battery, open the hood and spot a small flame near the starter, put the fire out with a nearby fire extinguisher. No damaged except for wiring.
Upon cleanup and inspection, it appears most of the damage was near the ballast resistor near the starter, I believe this is the wire that goes to the horn relay; the surronding wires have evedence of melting.
Today I order an engine harness, battery and ground cables from Lectric Liminted.
My question, should this cover the damaged and possibly damaged wires? I think so but I am wondering if there is anything else I should consider due to the key being in the "run" position when the problem occured. Also, I've never had any problems with my wiring before and the worst area of wire damage has a "bubba splice" (as in twisty-twisty+electrical tape). Do you think this was the likely cause or did the key position have something to do with it?
Thanks is advance for your replies, I hate electrical gremlins.

 

Bubba fix caused the fire! Wires twisted and electrical tape are a recipe for disaster! You're lucky that you were using a battery tender and disconnect. This could have been a worse story, like "I lost my garage and car to Bubbas crappy work"

 

sounds like what you blew was the fuseable link. a thin peice of wire in the main power line from the batt at the starter to the main distribution stud at the horn relay. this can blow on a short.

 

I did a similar thing to my car last week. I was installing the starter and in my haste I switched the ground wire with the red hot wire and created a direct short. When I connected the battery there was a snap, crackle, pop. Smoke was released from the wiring, and the fusable link was fried. I was able to buy fusable wire from Lee Auto parts by me. They come packeged in either a roll or in short sections marked for GM. I needed the 18 gauge. I cut out the damaged section( It was easy to see as the wire insulation was melted). I soldered the new wire in and heat shrink wrapped it. I now have power restored. It was a stupid mistake, but no other damage has surfaced. Good luck

 

That Stinger hood looks great! Got any details on it and some larger pics?