I assume that the idiot lights do not go out once it starts? And the temp gauge does not change even when the engine warms up?

You've more than likely got a damaged wiring harness right where it goes through the intake manifold, or at the grey 8-pin firewall connector nearby.

The alternator light wire is a small red one. If it's hopelessly grounded out in the harness, a new wire can be spliced to the wire at the grey connector, and run around the top, back, and right side of the engine compartment to the small alternator terminal.

The temp gauge wire is I think yellow/blue or something similar. I don't have Bentley manual here at work, someone else perhaps can confirm this. Anyway, same thing, the wire could be damaged, missing some insulation, or might need to be spliced and run right to the temp sensor on the head.

The damage is going to be in that tight area towards the rear of the intake manifold. Good luck with straightening it out!
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::: Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244 ::: 90 745GL ::: 90 745T ::: 84 242DL ::: 90 745T Parts ::: Used to have : 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 91 244, 88 244GL, 88 744GLE, 82 245T, 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 245DL, 89 244DL!