My 1981 corvette won't start...there is no power getting from the battery to the engine...how can i fix this? I have tried charging the battery and jump starting it. I have also purchased a new battery. When the new battery is hooked up and the key is in the igniton on the auxillary position, it shows that i have between 12 and 18 amps. when i go to start it it goes dead without even turning over...killing all of the power.

If you have no power to anything, such as headlights
radio/wipers etc. The fusable link at the starter may
have fried. Try using a jumper wire from the battery connection on the alternator to the + post on the batt.
If you get you're power back, replace the link wire.
It's a rust colored wire on the battery con. at the solenoid.They somtimes have a yellow tag with the amp rating. This was a fairly common problem back
in the day. Also check for any shorted wires that may
have caused the link to pop, and make sure the alt.
starter and battery connections are clean and tight.
Hope this helps.