Specific alternator questions

["Sysko, Dustin" <dsysko@service.ball.com>]

Since I have diagnosed a massive short, and no charging from my 85
4ksq's alternator, I have removed it. Now that it is off, I notice that
the shaft turns without any resistance at all. From my limited
experience with electric motors, I remember that I should feel a
staggered resistance to turning. This problem seems odd to me. I have
been told that the brushes and the diode pack can both go bad, but I do
not know how this might affect the rotational resistance. Should I just
take it apart and look for burnt-out wires and broken/worn pieces, or
should I go out and buy a new one for way too much money? TIA!
Dustin Sysko
85 4ksq (lots of smoke let out of the wires recently)
95 urabuS Legacy wagon