Ford Repair: Starter, solenoid, starter solenoid, starter problem

Question
Ok, here is what i got. 85 Mustang gt 4 barrel, .30 over, porter 351 heads, b303 cam. My question is with the starter and solenoid. 2 days ago my car wouldnt start and i figured it was the battery but i found out it was the connector cable for the battery positive. The same time i replaced this i decided to replace the solenoid. When i was done it started up and all was well. But last night on my way home from work i stopped to pick up some food and when i started it back up the starter stuck on. I got out and removed the battery cable and jiggled/moved the solenoid connections around and it was fine again. This morning i went to start it and the starter stuck on again but no jiggling helped it this time. I put the old one back on and had a new problem. When i tried to start it the starter turned with no problem but the car took for ever to start and i had to practically hold the gas down to get it to start. When it did it ran horribly with alot of shaking and an extremely low idle. Im not sure where to go from here. Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated. This is my daily driver and its very important for it to run. Thank you for your time.

Robert Ronca

Answer
I can't think of any reason that the starter problem could cause the "long crank" or the idle problem.  The starter solenoid gets power from the ignition switch.  Either the ignition switch is continuing to supply power to the solenoid after the key is released, or the solenoid is sticking closed.  Check and clean all of the battery cable connections; a loose connection can cause excessive current through the system.  The excessive current can damage the solenoid's internal contacts to become pitted and/or "weld" together.  The ignition switch was recalled on almost all of older Ford vehicles.  Even if the switch is not causing your problem, it might be a good idea to call your local dealer with your VIN.  I would guess that the engine was/is flooded, because of the starter problem.

I hope this helps,
Dave