Wiring old International Farm Truck (long question)

Situation: one time about a year ago when I turned the truck on the ignition wire (from starter switch on floor to the key switch on dash) started smoking and melted. I tracked that down to the cloth harness having rotted and two wires (one from coil to switch and this other wire)touching when not supposed to. In the meantime I thought maybe the coil was having problems and switched it out with a spare I had.
Wiring seemed to work fine for about 6 months, then parked it for about 3 months. Now when I try to start it it does the same thing. Replaced ignition wire again. Checked all dash wires for rotten insulation, replaced some, taped others think I have all good now. Replaced wire from Regulator to Amp gage too. No longer burning wires, but the Amp gage pegs out (35 is top of gage)and the coil seems to give intermitten spark.
Any ideas??????

Sounds like it is time to rewire the whole mess. Other wise if all you do is patch it you will keep having problems

Obviously, with that amp gauge pegged, you have a short circuit. Now, since International didn't use the foot starter after the 1949 KB-series trucks, I have to assume your truck is a '49 or older.

If you'd rather not try to figure out what's probably a 60+ year old rat's nest of wires, try Rhode Island Wire for a replacement wire harness [ www.riwire.com ]. OR you COULD start from the battery to the starter, and disconnect [and then replace] one wire at a time until you find the one that's shorted.

The old original wire harness had natural rubber over the wire, and then cloth over the rubber...and then the cloth was lacquered. The cloth rots, the lacquer makes it brittle, and the natural rubber deteriorates...and eventually, short circuits are inevitable.

First you have to find the short circuit...and eliminate it. As I said previously, start by removing all the wires from the starter. Then attach ONLY the cable from the battery. Then reattach wires one at a time until you find the circuit that has the short. I'd suggest that the first wire you reattach--or replace--would be the one from the terminal at the starter that goes to the ammeter...then check the one from the ammeter to the key switch.

That's how I'd proceed. Hope something in my post is helpful to you.

25 yrs ago found a IH k series book , Haven't seen it for a while , think it may be back in the old refrigerator , I don't think I would had trashed it ,..

Keep it like original and use all the same color wires ! HA HA

Internationals have got to have about the worst wiring harnesses in them.

Any rewiring will likely improve it.

Thanks to all for the advice. Rewiring one wire at a time is what I've been trying. Only I've been doing it as I find a problem.
I hope to replace the whole mess sometime but can't afford to at the moment, maybe next fall when the firewood and hay sell.
You are right about the age 1940 D30, bought it at auction about 7 years ago and have put about 2000 miles on it since then hauling hay and firewood. Pretty pleased with it other than the 45 mph max speed.

I had an old IH Pu that had the voltage regulator stick. It melted wires together and created a much larger problem. I ended up re-wiring everything from the dash to the engine compartment. All caused by a sticking regulator.
Tim in OR

Is the starter shorted