https://www.diydirect.com/screwless-hinges-male-female-2-pack?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAire5BhCNARIsAM53K1jjMuOzbCLLxxOSa9VtLPixDUqOUBK_D2S-Fh_-6yVoyNFL4-Te_IAaAhK_EALw_wcB
These appear to be your hinges.
If so they screw in and presumably out.
Alternators ground through their mounting.
It is worth checking that there is no paint or corrosion on the mounting points both the bracket to the alternator and bracket to engine block.
If the car starts then the engine return to the battery is good or the starter would not get enough current.
If the rectifier in the alternator has a diode gone it can put out a lot of noise.
The thick cable takes the charging current to the battery.
The thin cable normally goes to the ignition light on the dash board.
The fact that the engine revs to 2K before the alternator kicks in shows a problem as the alternator should start charging below 600RPM engine speed. This could be down to the alternator having the wrong bulb in the dash or a wiring error or internal problems in the alternator.
The vast majority on modern 4 and 6 cylinder engines use wasted spark and use the same plugs in all positions. The makers just expect owners to replace the plugs more often.
The platinum plugs ford fitted originally are not cheep but will last a long time.
Hood repairs are doable.
Easy depends on appearance after the repair.
I have glued and sewn a patch on the inside, from the outside the repair can be seen but it keeps the rain out. From the inside it is obvious.
Thread on fordownersclub.
It appears Henry installs the two types of plugs when the engines are supplied new, it's something to do with the wasted spark ignition, and there is a correct position for each type, being:
Timing belt end P1 / PG1 / P1 / PG1
Special thanks go to Jonathon Kay for his BM and link to
www.fordownersclub.com
The plug has the same fitting and will fire the near enough the same. It is one heat range hotter so at full power it might have problems but at low to medium power it could be used to see if this is the problem.
APR6FS is the recommended plug for 2l Pinto engines.
what spark plugs are you using?
ones with a resistor have R as part of there part number. For instance on my pinto engine I use NGK APR6FS which has a R as part of the code.
The resistor acts to reduce interference. I understand that the AccuSpark leads are resistive. resistive.
Are all cylinders the same?
Just thinking back 40 years pintos were notorious for trashing cams due to bad lubrication. Ford changed the cam spray bar to fix.
So cam cover off and examine the cam, whilst you are at it check valve gaps.