Never disconnect the battery when the engine is running to test the alternator!
That might have worked fine on your dad�s 67 chevy but it can blow the entire electrical system on you countor. An unregulated alternator can easily produce over 60 volts. You pull out the battery (the only thing holding it back) it's goodbye PCM and the works.
Basic testing of the battery and alt is simple. Go to radio shack and buy a cheap digital voltmeter. With the car off, measure the battery voltage. If it is under 12 volts replace the battery. If it is 12 or more start the car and measure the voltage across the battery, it should go up to about 14.4 volts and then drop to about 13.4. If it does, then the alt/reg is good.
jeff
