lowman240z

I am currently restoring/refurbishing a 1973 240z.I bought the car after the engine/trans and clutch had been rebuilt.On the way home after purchase the alternator went bad.It had been changed to use a 280z alternator with the built in voltage regulator.I replaced this and the battery and everything was good for 2 brief drives and multiple start-ups.On the 3rd drive something started smoking and the ammeter was pinned to the right tach stopped working.I was amile from home.The car drove fine.After I shut it off and the smoke stopped I found that it was coming from the speedo cable and that a ground wire from the battery ground cable to the firewall had burned in half.I also found that the area where this wire made contactwith the firewall had fresh touch up paint under it.I removed the paint,bought a new wire and installed it with good connection on both sides.The battery is fully charged,but when I turn the key nothing happens.No noise,clicking etc.When the car was out of commision before I replaced the wire I did have to change the indicator switch,but all of these connections look good.Does anyone have any ideas where to go from here?