Alternator woes, part...

[Ron Mruss <rmruss@pangea.ca>]

Hi everyone,

yes, it seems my alternator has quit.  The symptoms seem to match what I've been reading about failed alternators, but I thought I'd ask since I was just skimming the postings about alternators rather than reading them thoroughly.  Anyway, I was driving along (car is an '84 5KS) and the battery light on the dash went on, followed shortly thereafter by the low voltage light on the check system at the center top of the dash.  I thought my battery for some reason had lost its charge and that after driving for a while, the battery would charge and the light would go off (or hoped anyway).  I kept driving, hoping to be able to get home, but about five minutes later, coming off a bridge, the car died and would not restart.  I got a boost, but the car died as soon as I took the booster cables off, which is why I think it's the alternator.  Thoughts?

Assuming it is the alternator, I think this is a good time to upgrade to something a little more powerful than the wimpy stock alternator.  I seem to remember reading recently that 115 amps is what the later cars were equiped with.  Is this what I should be looking for or not?  Cost?  It is pretty cold here right now, so that's another reason to upgrade.  I am unfortunately going to have to get my mechanic to do the job because changing an alternator at -30 C is just not feasible.  How long should this job take?
Sorry for the WOB since I'm sure this topic has been covered extensively
TIA

Jeff Mruss
'84 5KS (beached in the driveway)