Electrical gurus, wht am I missing?!?!?

[Jonboy]

I am still chasing electrical gremlins in my '79 SWB with the LT1. When I got the truck, it turned over a little slow, and it got to where it would not start. I had the battery checked, bad battery. I replaced it with a new Delco. The truck sits for the most part, so I have left the battery unhooked while I have been repairing the wiring harness, getting rid of a bunch of butt connectors. I have been soldering them one at a time, to make sure they are not getting crossed. Anyhow, I went to hook up the new battery, it barely turns over. I pulled the starter, and had it and the new battery tested. Starter good, battery bad. Battery showing 12.5V, 250 CCA.

I picked up another battery at work. Put it in, and the truck is slow to crank. It is showing 12.5 V at the alternator, battery, and starter with the engine off. Running it was showing 11.9. I pulled the alternator, and it tested good. Is it possible I have been getting bad batteries? (Keep in mind, the last one has maybe 2 minutes of running, 3 starts on it. Still tests 12.5 V with the truck off, will not turn the starter at all).

I am not really sure if this has been a problem, or I am just looking more now (after 3 batteries). I rechecked the cables for corrosion and to make sure they are tight, ground is good, ground strap from the cab to the engine, and from teh frame to the alternator case. I replaced teh ignition switch (the electrical switch) to make sure it is good, since I switched out the column. The gauge is showing 9-10 V (just above the red, below the 13V mark).

Is there something simple and I am just missing it? This has a 130 amp alternator, and no power accessories or radio. Shouldn't be a problem, I don't think.