Fusible link???
Stick an ohm meter lead on block and neg battery post. If not close to zero remove cable and test the cable.
Sorry but disagree. It is simply too darn difficult to test cables this way, as the lower the resistance gets, the more difficult it is to get an accurate reading, especially when FRACTIONS of an ohm are what you are really looking for
Best way to test high current stuff is by voltage drop under load. Clip one meter lead to the block.
Set the meter for low DC volts. Stab the remaining lead into the clamp on the battery, and jumper the starter relay. Read the meter while the engine is cranking. You are hoping for a very very low reading, the lower the better. This might be subjective, but I'd say more than .2V under cranking means you have a problem. More than .3--.4V (3/ 10 of one volt) you DEFINATELY have a problem.
You can ALSO check the drop across the clamp --to -- post connection the same way. Clip one meter lead to the clamp on the neg post. Stab the remaining lead into the top of the post itself, crank the engine. You should have VERY little reading, perhaps barely .1V. Much more, remove, clean, and reclamp the connection.
ALSO don't forget that it's possible this "meltage" the OP detailed COULD have been accidental. "You" (someone) was working on the car, had the ground disconnected from the engine block. You went to bump the engine over or start it and forgot to re-attach or tighten that bolt. It would not crank, then you (someone) "remembered" and hooked it up. The pictured cable has now been smoked
"Long ago and far away" I had had the engine apart in my old 70 (440-6 RR), installing a cam. I had a trunk mount battery, and had forgotten the subframe --to-- engine ground I'd added, which must have been on a timing cover bolt
So I get the new cam all in, and everything is ready, except the forgotten ground. The engine is "sitting" there with very little to ground it. Two tiny straps at the rear to the firewall
I got in, twisted the key, and it all groaned, stuttered the starter relay. I guess I "tried it again" Next thing I know, there was "arc welding" under the dash!!!!
The current, looking for somewhere to ground, had MELTED one of the spring clips off the clutch linkage!!! Under the dash!!! It fell off and down at my feet!!!
