Well, I was changing my water pump and I accidentaly grounded the terminals on the back of the alternator to the valve cover.

Since I didn't disconnect the battery(I was doin water pump, it didn't cross my mind) there was a nice big arc for a half second or so before I pulled it off and disconnected battery. Went on finishing water pump, thought all was good.

Since back together, I've been lookin for a vac leak with engine running. I peeked at the gauges and my tach was pegged. Shortly, there was smoke comin from the tachometer(which is stock). At the same time my alternator started whining real bad.

Sooo...I think the alt is cooked, but I was curious what else I might have cooked(besides tach) or if anyone has a thought on the issue.

Replace alternator and tach is obvious, but want to make sure I get anything else in the process that might be bad.

 

Well, your tach goes to your distributor right? if smoke was commin from your dash (ouch) could be because your distributor has issus too.

 

Well, I started the engine for 'bout 10 sec. to see if this tach I had worked(it didn't), and the engine ran just fine.

Still, your mention of the distributor makes me want to test my ign. module anyway. That's where the tach signal comes from, right?

 

Without looking at a book, ...i believe it runs from your distributor, through the firewall, right to the tachometer. Good luck.