Classic/Antique Car Repair: System not charging, napa store, light harness

Question
QUESTION: 67 Dodge Coronet not charging, I have replaced alternator, regulator, battery is new. I have also installed new engine and forward light harness from Year One. Still nothing,I am at wits end.At one point I bypassed Ammeter and still only got 11.5 volts. Can you please help me?

ANSWER: The first thing to check is the grounding between the body and the engine. The alternator is grounded to the engine while the regulator that controls it is grounded to the body. Unless the body and engine are properly grounded the alternator system will not function correctly. Check it and let me know. There is more but the ground problem is first.
Brad

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QUESTION: Yes I should have mentioned that I put a new grounding strap from block to firewall. The engine will cut out when I disconnect the positive cable off battery.This whole situation started when the out going wire from Ammeter shorted out. I did not do anything else but replace that wire. Thank you, I look forward to your solutions.
Regards, Bart

ANSWER: Bart, I think that you have just given me the magic clue, the shorted wire. Pull the alternator off the car and take it to a NAPA store or any other one that will test the alternator. It sound like you may have fried the diodes in the alternator. Let me know the results and we will go from there.

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QUESTION: Brad I put the new alternator after the short,two actually, cause I thought the second one was defective so I got a third one. All under warranty of course. Just a suggestion but could it be the ignition switch. It shows 11.5-12 volts when I start the car, is there a mechanism in the switch that is not allowing the spark back through to the alternator.Very frustrating, you'll need a medal for this troubleshoot.
Regards,Bart

Answer
OK, lets go step by step. With the engine idling remove the green lead (small wire) from the alternator. Connect a voltmeter to the output side of the alternator. Now using a jumper wire ground the alternator terminal that had the green wire. The voltage should increase to over 14 volts. If it does the alternator is ok. If not the alternator is defective. Make sure that the regulator has a good ground on the fire wall. If there is rust or paint behind where the regulator mounts, clean it till there is bright shiny metal to metal contact. Let me know how these two steps work and we will go from there.
Brad