This was a good article as it explained the pitfalls with running all electrical power for lights, accessories, heater, A C, etc through the amp meter. Weak spot was definitely the firewall connector as the images illustrated overheated and melted wiring connectors. So you did the right thing and eliminated that "fire source" and frustration.I went back and looked and you are correct there is no shown link, however I KNOW I typed it in. Anyways I will post it again here. MadElectrical.com - Mad Enterprises (at http://www.madelectrical.com/ ). click on the "Electrical Tech" section. . . . .
I believe there are services that can convert a Chrysler amp meter into a volt meter and it will reside in the same opening in the instrument panel. You will maintain an original look and have a more modern gauge for monitoring the electrical system.
This comment is interesting. Did you have to use a connecting ground wire between alternator and voltage regulator to get the system to charge the battery? You could have run a ground wire from the voltage regulator to the negative terminal at the battery to accomplish the same goal.. . . I had to run a wire to ground the alternator so I just grounded both the alternator and the regulator to the body at the same place (although the voltage regulator has two other tabs that also act as a ground for the voltage regulator). I also used new star washers on each of the voltage regulator tabs to ensure a good ground. . . . .
As you do your continuity checks follow the positive battery cable to the terminal on the starter solenoid. Do you have exhaust headers on the engine? Is the positive battery cable and terminal on the starter too close to the headers???? Sometimes the close proximity can cause electrical problems.
Disconnect the battery cable at the starter solenoid. Do a continuity check between the solenoid battery terminal and starter case. There should be no continuity.
Just follow all the wiring that you replaced and / or reinstalled and check any short, small, identifiable segments. If you have a short to ground it will be easier to identify and isolate.