Lost in electrical

Maybe it's a simple answer, but my knowledge of electrical is limited. New solenoid,ignition switch,headlight switch,battery,voltage regulator. 61 econo van with a 64-65 motor. Was doing good until electrical issues popped up. Acts as though it doesn't have a battery in it. No headlights or tail lights or reaction at all. Jumper wire from solenoid (pos) to starter post on solenoid creates a small buzz but doesn't turn starter. Is it a ground out somewhere? Not sure of next move.

Im going to take a shot and say lack of ground. double check your battery to engine ground and your battery to chassis ground. All the connections/terminals.
Good luck.

For this and any other electrical problem, here's how.
First, start with a good fully charged battery. Anything else is not good enough to really diagnose electrical problems.
Have good clean battery cable connections at both ends or the cable and make sure the cable is not too small or corroded inside.
Next, check the voltage at various points. Start with a good ground connection for the meter. Since we are talking vans, a good point would be at a bare metal point near the front of the engine. Now check with the positive lead at the + battery terminal, then the cable end. They should be the same. Now check the other end of the + calbe and the terminal where it's attached. They also should be the same battery voltage. Any drop in voltage should be adressed by cleaning, tightening or replacement of the cable. Don't forget that the negative cable is the other half of the circuit. Once you are sure that the + and - cables are in good shape and supplying voltage, continue.
DO NOT check other stuff if you have a weak battery or poor connections.
Now check for battery voltage at various points that have constant feed. The ignition switch, headlight switch, brake switch, horn, fuse block. Refer to your wiring diagram for these points. All should have the same voltage. Keep rechecking the battery voltage as you do this to make sure the voltage is the same. This is also the reason you don't connect the meter to the battery. You need to be able to reach all this stuff without disturbing your meter - connection.
Now turn on the key to the ON position. Check the circuits that are powered with ignition on. Try to limit the time this takes since voltage is heating up the ignition coil, points and condenser.

If you find any circuit that is suspect, clean any connections. also look for any worn or bare wiring and fix this.

Welcome to the site!!!

Oh yeah, welcome to the site.
BTW, the stuff I posted is a basic primer. It will find/fix most issues with our old simple stuff. It's also pretty easy to grasp. However, if you want to move up a bit in theory and better testing, look into voltage drops on live circuits. Lots of info on the web.
You will see voltage drops on 40-year old circuits, even ones that work fine!

When I try and trouble shoot what people are having a problem with, I try to get a feel for what they are trying to explain. In yours you stated new solenoid?? and no juice up front,
SO,,,,,,,, It sounds like when you replaced the solenoid, you may have not connected the main black positive lead going to the fuse block on the head light switch, and now you have no juice going up front. There should be a large gauge black wire that goes from the positive side of the solenoid.
vic

Thanks for the info y'all. A couple of days of rain & work before I can get back on it. Maybe the new year will bring new life to it.

While you are waiting, stick the battery on charge if you haven't already.

Please LOAD Test The battery also =before use.

If it were not cranking, then I would get real concerned as to a full charge. All it needs right now for a check of everything is 12vlts. If it has that, and by HIS explanation, it really sounds as easy as a wire not connected..... sticking to my story until next year,,,LOL.
vic

Back on the road y'all. Found some loose wires, changed terminals, double checked solenoid and connections and cable grounds. Fired up. Nicer day tomorrow for a test drive. Thanks for all the input.