Scrape the inside of BOTH cable clamps until they're bright and shiny. If you don't have a tool like the one above, a sharp pocketknife blade works. Scrub the battery posts with a wire brush, then bolt the cables down tight. Then AND ONLY THEN, coat the cable clamps and battery posts with Vaseline, wheel bearing grease, or spray-on battery terminal protector. Some people slop on the anti-corrosion stuff and then install the cables, effectively creating an insulated connection.
No, "it looks good" or "the cables feel tight" is never a good substitute for cleaning ALL the connections. Once you're done at the battery, go to the other ends of the cables, unbolt them, and clean those connections thoroughly. If the ground cable isn't long enough to bolt it to the bell housing, the engine block, or a starter mounting bolt, go buy one that is!
Jerry
