ok i finally got it. The battery is now holding a charge and the gauges work. I unplugged a wire under the hood. Also the relay light for the key in the ignition when the car door is open- you know that buzzing? That was fried so that could have been a short. It starts right up but now it floods. Im wondering if the 76 had an electric choke? Could that be the wire i unplugged? Thank you all for the help