thought my alternator was bad so i replaced it...and it still wont give the battery any kind of charge, as i looked closely, it seems that in order for the fan to blow air into the alternator, it would have to be turning the wrong way. Any advice?

That's correct! In reality, the alternaotr fan is sucking air through from the back to the front. The rectifier bridge and regulator are in the back. Since they are the stuff you really want to keep cool, the air hits them first!

i just thought....could the starter be overheating??

It shouldn't matter which way the alternator turns in terms of generating electricity. It's an alternator (makes AC) which is recitifed. Fan blades should point away from the direction of rotation. They don't scoop air, they fling it.

-dnult

what style of alternator are you running? if it's still the old style externally regulated style, check the regulator. you can take both the alternator and regulator to any parts store to have them checked- usually for free. if either is shot, take the oppertunity to upgrade to a newer style 12SI or even the really new CS series used in the newer cars and trucks. just changing from a 65 amp 12SI to the CS120 i have now, the system voltage with the car running and everything turned on went from 12.5 up to a rock solid 14.6, no matter what is turned on or off. car runs better. headlights are as bright as any new car out there. i think i gained a couple miles per gallon, as well. all from an alternator swap- and the one i replaced wasn't bad.