1989 hardbody grounding wire catching fire

[prancerman88]

this is a z24i engine
The wire on the exhaust side of the engine that connects from the engine block to the fire wall. This wire starts smoking when I try to start my truck. My starter also turns slowly until it finally turns the engine over but now the wire burnt so much it broke and now the starter clicks like there isnt enough power from the engine.
this started after I changed my head gasket but not like directly after but like a few days after. I really have no idea whats wrong please help

[centralcoaster33]

Well, that's a ground. If it's disconnected, stuff won't work. So, connect it! With a new replacement of course. Use a heavy gauge wire, at least as heavy as what was on there at one time. Also, you may be missing other grounds. Should be one from the block to the chassis near the battery, then from there to the negative battery terminal. You can use the FSM to locate all your ground wires and restore/ replace them as necessary. Once you're all grounded, you might need further electrical diagnoses to determine why some wires get hot enough to smoke. That's not how their supposed to work for sure.