^ i was about to say something about that. my 86 has an alt. from a 71 mustang 2 and is EXTURNALY regulated. there for the alt can be good but if a wire pops off of the regulator or if it goes bad the charge wont get the the batterie.

and when i first got my red top optima it took a crap only after having it for 3 weeks. but i got it replaced free of charge.