Sounds like vehicle wiring issue..



This definitely sounds like an alternator/voltage regulator problem.. When you get it running, an accurate voltmeter reading at the battery terminals should indicate if the regulator is working properly.. To overheat and steam the battery as mentioned above would indicate to me that you probably got 16+ volts to the battery..



The suggestion above to hook a second vehicle battery up with jumpers and try to start it is a good idea..

If it were mine I'd take a voltmeter and start tracing the wiring, both the positive side and the battery to body to engine block grounds looking for high resistance under load...

A quick check of the ground straps would be to hold one voltmeter lead on the battery negative terminal and the other on the engine block and have someone hit the starter.. If you see significant voltage, there's a problem in the ground connections.

Do the same at the starter positive terminal.. to measure drop from the battery positive to the starter terminal..