OMC 3.0 starting and wiring issues

I am new to the boating world, so i'm learning everyday. I bought a 1991 Sunbird in April and have been redoing the whole inside. Most of the wiring was in good and shape. I bought a 1988 OMC and successfully put it in last weekend. However, now I have a few issues.
1. When I turn the key, all i hear is a click. I have a brand new battery and brand new ignition switch. I am getting power because when the key is in the on position, the gas gauge turns on. I have removed and cleaned and put back onto the starter post the positive line and still nothing. My brother also tried the "jumping" method by using a screwdriver on a ground then touching that post and still nothing. Help?
2. This next issue could be related, but unsure. Coming out of my remote throttle gear case are 5 wires. 3 wires together of varying color and they look all good, then there is one set of 2 black wires. Here's the issue, they are cut and I can't seem to find a place where they might have been connected. Anyone know where these go? Is this the reason my engine won't turn over, due to a safety switch or something?
Thanks and I look forward to some help.

Re: OMC 3.0 starting and wiring issues

welcome to iboats

first, are we working on a 1991 or a 1988

second, you do not jump from ground to anything with a screw driver. it will do nothing but shower sparks. if your jumping a starter, its between the B terminal and the S terminal.

first if you get a click, that is good. however you most likely have either a bad connection, bad wire, or bad solenoid (either the pilot solenoid, or the starter bendix solenoid).

the wires coming out of your throttle control are for the trim switches. you will have to get that working as well.

Re: OMC 3.0 starting and wiring issues

thanks for the help. I have a brand new positive cable from the battery to the starter, but it is my intention to remove all lines going to the starter post and clean them up just in case tonight.
As far as the trim lines, I have a direct button on my throttle and the trim/tilt pump sounds when I hit the buttons, so I can only assume that they are working. Oh, maybe those black lines go to the trim gauges, and those are cut. I will check that out.
Can you be more descriptive when you say the S and the B terminals? Do you mean a direct connect from the battery to the starter terminal? If that's the case, which post on the battery?

Again, thanks so much for the advice.

Re: OMC 3.0 starting and wiring issues

oh sorry, forgot to mention, the boat is a '91 with all the parts and pieces that comes with a '91. The engine is an '88 OMC 3.0L. I have done all the rewiring from the boat to the engine myself and so far it has worked, with the exception of the little part about the engine starting, haha.

Re: OMC 3.0 starting and wiring issues

B terminal has the big fat red wire that goes to the battery positive. the S terminal is the starter pull-in terminal on the bendix solenoid. connecting these two together with a screw driver is "jumping the starter"

regarding your connections. scotchbright pads work great to clean the cable ends. do not forget the ground cable as well.