TOPIC:

I'm just wanting to verify that I have a stator problem. I'm reading 0 ohms between each of the 3 yellow leads and the alternator cover. So there must be a short, right? and there shouldn't be an current connection between the leads and the chassis, right??
thanks for help.

not between the leads and ground just between the leads themselves if you have continuity to ground then there is a short

Thanks, that's how I read the manual, but wanted to be sure. And yes there is continuity between each yellow lead and "ground". I am just a bit surprised that each lead is "shorted". Nothing looks out of the ordinary.

ill have to look in my garage i might have one

Since the three yellows are connected to each other, if one is shorted, all three will have continuity to ground.

You may be able to find the spot and insulate it if it's just a superficial wound.

So they're all connected!! Learn something new every day. It is still in the housing, so I'll try to find the short. That would be too easy!!
Thanks

OK, got the stator out but wasn't able to see any obvious location for the short. Took it to a friend in town who runs an alternator shop, he took one look at the stator and said "it's fried" and then added that any number of things could have caused the problem, including a bad rectifier/regulator and bad battery. I got both the stator and rectifier on ebay a few years ago and they were used. So.... I've ordered a new stator and rectifier. About $140 and $95. I'll let you know how it all goes when I get it back together. Also will load test my battery to make sure there is not a problem there. Thanks.