[RAIIIJudge]

last season was a really short one for me as it took longer than expected to get motor built .. only got 200 miles in.
the first 150 miles were on previous battery .. same as previous motor was using.
this stuff was occurring with that first battery too.

another thing I think is worth mentioning: when I lose power I lose headlights too. if issue was the ignition switch, pretty sure I'd still have headlights.
so issue is between battery and fuse panel?

besides checking grounds a-gain, I'll run a cable between neg. on battery directly to firewall. if that licks it I'll know its a ground issue. if not I'll know its the positive side.

I remember after engine went in and I hooked up battery, i very quickly touched + cable to battery , just in case it was grounding somehow..
sure enough I got a really juicy spark but it was super quick. I wonder if that grounding stressed positive side somewhere? it was really quick tho.

thanks for thinking on this.