Guess 14v is good then.
Setting my sites on finding another one of these.

most of us probably dont even know what that is, myself included

is it a heat sink?

Its a rectifier bridge for the 140 amp alternator. Thats usually the part that goes. Notice the three studs. They each have two brass clips under them with diodes attached. When the diode goes the current goes in both directions and the alternator shorts out (dead). The long life brushes are good and the bearings just nead to be cleaned and lubed.
Problem is finding one of these things at a reasonable price. $20 form an automotive shop supplier but they only want volume orders.
One parts store quoted me $180!
http://www.aess.com/

OK I checked the volts at the battery with the car warmed up and my voltmeter reads 14.3 v. The in car gage reads 13.9 v. Was hoping it would be the other way around. Should be good to go.

its not uncommon for the gauge to be inaccurate. my 97 shows like 12 at idle. i check it with the dvm and its 13.8 and like 14.1 when revved. and my buick is the opposite, the dash says way high, and dvm show near 14v

Contact www.mralternator.com and ask if you can get a rectifier from him. It'll probably be beefed up. My 160 is still going strong.

Found this illustration to show you guys where the rectifier goes. The top part stays in one piece so its not as complicated as it looks. I'm working on getting a deal on rectifiers.

Might be a little late here...

But ever since temps have been hovering around freezing, when I first start it I'm lookin at about 14-14.3 volts. Then as I drive, it stays in the high 13s, unless I have HVAC and headlights on, then I'm around low 13s.

In the summer I'm always in 13, sometimes even high 12s.