Reply to "alternator I think"

The stock alternator is a plain-vanilla 63 amp Ford unit, available at any parts store. The regulator, if stock, was one of those with points and solenoids inside; it has been replaced by a same-sized-case unit with a tiny circuit board inside. If you can live with 63 amps and don't ever drive worst-case (headlights on, AC running, radio on, in low speed traffic so the alt isn't charging positive), then the fix is less than $75 for new and probably less rebuilt. There are same-sized drop-in units available up to about 120 amps for more $$, as are the single-wire replacements. Personally, I'm still on the OEM alt but a replacement regulator in my '72. I'd replace the cheap regulator first, then the alt, after being real sure there wasn't a short somewhere.