I'm an idiot.

[tdhardy]

I've got a 73 Short and Wide that I've dumped countless hours and dollars into and I am now at the stage where all is done except for the stereo system. I ran a direct line to the battery for the amp and dressed all wiring professionally. It tied the alarm and head unit into the BAT terminal on the fuse block and upon plugging the harness into the radio, all went black. No dome lights, no tail lights, no head lights, etc. No voltage on any of the fuses in the block. All fuses are good, but there is nothing coming into the fuse block at all. What did I burn up? Please help. I've got to redeem myself.
Thanks for any input.

[VetteVet]

In 1973 GM started using fusible links in the wires off the battery cable where it connects to the starter solenoid. There will be at least 2 in the feed wiring that comes off the solenoid. One protects the alternator and the other protects the fuse block. You have probably blown the one to the fuse block. You can run a temporary jumper from the battery positive post to the BAT on the fuse block and get the truck power back but you will have to replace the fusible link with another one or use a Maxi-fuse in place of it.
Then you will have to figure out why the FL blew, was it a short to ground or was it to much amperage draw on the FL.

[jitteryguy]

what he said /\ . and if it help's I have 3 X wive's that say you'r not alone !

[tdhardy]

Thanks for the tips. I'll hunt down the FLs and hopefully they aren't too elusive.

[tdhardy]

My current wife will confirm I'm an idiot! Thanks fellas.