[Roadsters] electrical issue 69 2000

[chalsted at comcast.net]

a while back I went to start an engine I'd put in a '69 2000 and one of the wires to the alternator smoked, stopped trying to start. I replaced the engine compartment wiring harness with a NOS I had sitting around, now nothing at all happens when I turn the key. have changed out the back of the ignition switch a few times, no success. no lights or anything like no juice through the switch. with battery hooked up I can short the starter and it will crank. any thoughts? car hasn't been on the road in 35 years and I want to have it driving in a week to take it up to the Glen....I'd previously put a different engine in the car and it fired up but turned out to have a cracked head- coolant coming out at the base of a spark plug. had never seen that one before. thanks for any input :-) 
Craig