Voltage Regulator?

[tturse@ps-b.com (Thomas Turse)]

(85' 4ksq)  Just a quickie- Does the voltage regulator attach onto the
alternator?  Anything I should know when replacing one?  Is there any way to
check if the alternator is functioning properly?  I was told by a person at
a dealer to start the car and disconnect the negative terminal and see if
the car dies- makes sense.  I told this to my mechanic and he said NO,
definitely NOT to do this.  He said it could burn out/ruin the chip, or some
other electrical piece when reconnecting to the terminal.  What's the deal
here?  I purchased the voltage regulator $50!!!!  Any suggestions would be
very much appreciated.

Thomas C.  Turse
Boulder, CO
85 4ksq
tturse@ps-b.com