Might be a loose connection to the battery. If you had a totally shorted starter the solenoid should chatter as it disengages from the voltage drop of the short. Total silence sounds like a power loss to all systems when you go to draw a large amount of current.

Kevin

87 Turbo Intercooled Raider, roller cam, torsen rear diff, LSD front diff, lockup auto with modified converter, V6 brakes, low transfer case gears...