[whynotthinkwhynot]

I doubt there are any names I could call you that you haven't called yourself. I bet the next time you work on anything electrical in a car- you'll disconnect that negative battery terminal.

Have you checked to see if you definitely don't have continuity between the ends of the alt power cable? What got burnt when it shorted?

If you're referring to the 175a inline fuse in that cable, yes you can purchase something similar and cut out the old one. IMO, it wouldn't be worth it. What you'd save in money, you'd eat up in time, and likely pain and suffering. Not to mention you might cut the old wire just a tad too short and have to rig or replace after you spent a lot of time rigging in the first place.