So everything is running great in the car,....ignition click solved.

For the heck of it I take it to get the battery/starter/alternator checked.......everything is great (good charge...etc) but the alternator is only pushing 26amps.

So I buy and install a new alternator (same unit AC DELCO 63amp).

After PAINTING the block and all alternator mounts..etc...etc I INSTALL THE NEW alternator. She runs fine.......

I take it back up to get it checked (just to be sure).....and it is pushing 16 amps!!! Volts are 13.28, diode is fine.

I am going to remove it and have them bench test it to make sure they sold me a good unit.....BUT

1) The cable run frmo trunk batt to alt should be good sense Im getting 13.28 volts RIGHT????

2) Is it POSSIBLE that my heavy coats of paint on ALL alternator mounts has impeded the ground? And all I need to do is sand them to clean metal for better conduction?

3) Typicallly, where should the + from the batt route to?....Where does it connect and then junction off to serve other components?

It is odd that the batt seems to keep up with this though....no running issues........full charge....

btw - My batter has 2 grounds....one goes to starter motor, the other to the frame. Then I have a jump from the frame to the block. All look good. xcept the alternator mounts which are heavy coated black now.......

Any ideas.....(rookie wisecracks from Bob are welcome as well)