[Mach1 Driver]

You haven't been descriptive enough. A SHORT is when a hot wire touches something of the opposite polarity. There are usually sparks and if severe enough it melts the wires and insulation. An OPEN circuit is when the electrical path is broken (for whatever reason) and something stops working.
Sooooo, what does yours do exactly? Does the engine stop running?

 

[Mach1 Driver]

I would charge the battery, clean the battery posts, and re-install the battery cables. Do you know how old the battery is? Follow the black battery cable to its attachment point, remove the bolt, clean the area, and reattach. I'm not sure of the engine ground straps on a 65, but on my 69 with a V8, it goes from the passenger side cylinder head to the firewall. If these are loose or missing you'll have trouble. Get back to us if you still have trouble.