I just replaced my alternator because one of the bearings in it was toast. So i get everything working and I start the car. I get out and notice that a wire is smoking like the current is too much for it to handle. The wire has some black piece on it and connects to a terminal with some other wire, then to my battery. (I hope the picture can do a better job of explaining it than me.) I am wondering if I just need to put in like an 8 awg wire instead on the small one that was prevoiusly there. Wondering if NAPA or any parts store sells a replacement piece or should I just put in a bigger wire? Or is it something else that is the problem.

 

oops, forgot to attach the first time

 

It's hard for me to tell from the pic. but it looks like it could be a fusible link?
Did you replace the alt. with one of the same current rating, or higher?
If significantly higher, then that could be the explanation of the overload.
You would then need to upgrade the complete charging wire from alt. to bat..
Keep the fusible link at least 4 guage #'s over the main wire, to protect the main wire.
I'm not familiar with these cars so I'd need better pic's to tell "for sure".

 

Fullsizewagon is correct in what he is saying, that picture looks like someone replaced the fusible link in the past and used a smaller size fusible link. Also if you did replace the alternator with a higher rated one you would need to upgrade the wiring as stated above.