Hey guys. I have an early (9/73) 260, and Im in the process of gutting/sorting through what im keeping and getting rid of. I took out my center console and unplugged all of the corresponding wires regarding the hazards, radio, etc. Basically anything that was mounted in the console. I had removed my battery a couple weeks ago, and just recently put it on the charger to see if it would hold charge. The battery charged right up overnight to 100% and so i figured i would put it in and see if i could crank up my engine. As i was hooking up the negative terminal, i got the usual small spark on contact and then proceeded to tighten up the connector. After about 5 seconds, though, i saw smoke starting to come out of the plastic cap on the fusible link. I quickly took the negative back off the battery and took off the plastic cover to find that the black wire had started to melt through the rubber. Anyways...
I havent tried to reconnect anything yet, mainly because i have to get a new wire, but im concerned with what might have changed in my electrical system. I bought the car from a friend, and it had been in running condition before with no electrical problems. The only reason why its not running now, prior to this current dilemma, was a clogged supplemental fuel pump, which ive removed and am running new lines. I am VERY new to electrical work, and would like some advice on what may have caused this wire to melt. Bad ground? Blown fuse? Im green, so you can be brutal. Im no dummy, but quite ignorant, i guess, when it comes to a car's electrical system. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!