FINALLY!! No more flickering headlights and crazy tach! The guy at Kragens said my alternator wasn't bad (he tested it, and it tested the SAME numbers as a brand new alternator), but he said it sounded like the bearing was going out, so he warrantied it, and gave me a shiny new one. I also noticed, however, that the BAT wire going to the alternator was completely broken up on the crimp to the ring terminal. So I cut it back a bit, and crimped on a new ring. With the new alternator in, I warmed it up, got the choke off, and the idle went to 650rpm. So I got out the good ole' voltmeter to test...
1.) Battery read 13.25v+
2.) Alternator read 12.9v+
This was WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, at 650rpm!!! WOO HOO!! I'm ONE HAPPY CAMPER!
Also though, what's the CORRECT tool to tighten the alternator? Usually I just use a big pry bar, but it's not doing the job. Isn't there like a special tool, that "cups" the alternator?