I guess I get to put the cover on it, now that I got it in there, and all screwed in... I didnt do any damage by taking it for a 10 min run without the cover on, did I? Also would it be bad if I ran <100 miles with it off when my grandparents are here?

As I mentioned i took it on a little run, and with the proper starting procediure (floor it when first cranking, lessen to 1/4 in a few sec...), it started up fine when it was cold... The problem is that I still have dim lights at idle, and I guess that means I get to replace the alt, right? Is there any reason,unless it craps out, to run it that said <100 miles without replacing it, even though it ranran a total of 300 miles in the past 2 years on that alternator?

So bacicly what I'm asking is what should I replace now (since the lights still dim), can I run without the cover on for less than 100 miles, and can I run that same less than 100 miles without replacing the alternator (provided it can still make the battery idiot light go off)

Thanks alot
~Nate