Nothing about the alternator is easy and it's true. Not much room to work around.

As per your suggestion, I removed the the radiator hose and it helps a lot but the only hose that is in a way all the time is the one coming from the A/C compressor and goes the the dryer I believe. Impossible to remove this one.

I've been able to remove the 3 little screws that holds the cover in place but I've been unable to remove it entirely from the alternator, it hits the intake manifold. I've unplugged the thermostat sensor wire but it didn't helped me much,
no access to the voltage regulator. According to a friend of mine, the brushes and
the rotors copper contacts should be worn-out after all those years of usage so it's a good move to replace the alternator anyway. I've ordered one and expecting it early next week. Bad timing, I just replaced the power steering pump a month
ago and I'll have to remove it again to replace that alternator. aaarghh

Thx guys
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Norm