yup, looks like someone got side cutter happy around the starter relay.

 

I see an ugly positive battery cable, the red one. It is either too small of wire gauge size, (looks to be sufficient) or the copper to lead connection is poor or broken down. Heat builds up under starting and has melted the CHEAP cable. The fact that the battery looks to be a deep cycle would also help in not running low on cranking amps, even though the resistance is constantly building as you crank it. Resistance = heat. Engine on, the voltage across the battery should be at least 13.7 volts, maybe the alternator is working. IMHO

 

Hi, y'all. Sorry I've been AWOL for awhile.

Rusty still ain't fixed but it's more because of the weather than anything else. Got all the parts, just need the weather to cooperate long enough to let us get things done. We've had snowstorm after snowstorm dumping 8+ inches at a time and below freezing temps when it's not snowing plus one family member after another getting the cold/flu. It's been sooo much fun, LOL. Anyway, I'm hoping tomorrow or Tuesday to get my rustbucket up and running just in time for me to start a new job and (hopefully!) get another dog so my Jethro has someone to play with and have a buddy to come with us fishing and such.

Relying on someone else to get around has gotten REALLY old...