Car power/start troubles

No headlights?

Check for power at the column connector going to/ from the ignition switch?

Power at ammeter?

Sounds like a bulkhead, or ammeter, or "in harness splice" problem.

There's a huge big splice taped up in the harness, under the dash, that "y's" off to various things, including the headlight.

Power at column ignition switch connector should be the big red one

What do you have for diagrams?