Fusible Link 74 Challenger

[cr74challenger]

I'm hoping for some insight into a problem that I'm having with my 74 Challenger. I'm a newbie to Mopar ownership.

Last week, I was hoping to take my Challenger out for a ride. When I put the key in, everything seemed to be fine, but when I went to start it up, nothing happened, car went dead and smoke was rising from the engine compartment. Upon further inspection, I found the the Fusible Link from the bulkhead connector was fried. (I believe it's the original one from the looks of it). Thinking it was only the fusible link and that it could have failed due to age, I went to NAPA, got a replacement link (Checking the wiring diagram and I believe it's 16 gauge) and placed it the the car. All the lights were working again, but when I went to start the car, this link fried too. Is there any advice that a more experience Mopar owner than I am could provide? Any particular sequence of checks that would make resolving this easier?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Bullitt-]

You've got a dead short somewhere, possibly in the wiring or could be a bad ammeter..ck this link for some tips http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml
Many here do not bother with the rewire of the ammeter but rather bypass it & the bulkhead connector completely.

[cr74challenger]

Thanks for your advice. I plan on doing the bypass soon.  So I took a look at the wiring following the wiring diagram.  I traced the wiring from the ammeter gauge back through the bulkhead where it connects to the Alternator. Turns out there was a burn on the wire at the connection near the firewall that runs to the alternator. Could that wire be causing my fusible link to blow? How would the alternator and current flow affect the car when starting?

[Bullitt-]

  I traced the wiring from the ammeter gauge back through the bulkhead where it connects to the Alternator. Turns out there was a burn on the wire at the connection near the firewall that runs to the alternator. Could that wire be causing my fusible link to blow?

Probably not the problem, mine is discolored there as well. What your looking for is a short to ground. Get an Ohmmeter, disconnect your battery & start checking the wires to see if there is continuity to the body starting with the red wire that the fusible link connects to and follow that through the harness & connectors.   Disconnect harnesses & devices till the problem is isolated, it can even be inside of a harness that is hidden by the wrap, look for heat damage to the wrap. 

How would the alternator and current flow affect the car when starting?

    It's just part of the electrical system & if there is a short in the alternator it can cause problems.  I don't see anything in your original post to make me think that specifically is the problem though. 

[74challenger03]

also check your voltage regulator it could be overcharging.