I guess its time to upgrade. I misread initially what 67Dart273 said and I measured from the field on the alternator to ground and I got exactly 0 resistance or complete short.
You need to stop right there and yank the alternator and check it out NEITHER field connection on an isolated field unit should show any continuity to ground.
That is, if you jumpered one field connection to ground, remove that and check them each to ground.
Pull the alternator and post a good photo of the rear view.
