anyone take apart a alt....or know how to tell if a starter is bad?

[CivicEater]

Well this morning I went outside to fire her up and it just cranked....eventually it (after 5 mins of interminant cranking) it started to crank slower and slower till no more cranking....so I figured dead battery and got a jump but after several attempts it was a no go still.....so I unhook alt to get it tested and you know the little bolt in the back of it with the red plastic cover? well I broke it (so there is the half left in the alt) so now I cant hook the alt back up...well I got it tested and it is good so now I am thinking mabye its the starter which I am praying its not.....the guy at autozone said that the bolt is only accesible from the in alt and that a machine shop would have to take it out anyone know if this is true or how I can tell if its my starter or batt?? I am just bummed since I dont have cash but the little bit I do is gonna go to figuring this crap out instead of trying to get the car to run right,,

 

[2bunik]

I did the same thing on a 67.. we had to get a new alt.. wither that or weld a nut to it as a temp fix.. if the alt is still good.

 

[TROJN007]

You should be able to take the starter to an autozone and they will test it for you.