<VV> Electrical charging system problem - Help

[Gary & Susan Lowell]

I am having a problem that I cannot seem to track down and a could  
use some of the "collected wisdom" of the group.
Problem: My battery shows 14.5 Volts at idle. at 1500 or above it  
measures over 17 volts - checked with my analog Ohm meter
Recent Attempts to correct: I have changed the Voltage Regulator and  
tried a spare alternator with no change in the result.
Questions: Is 17+ Volts normal & if not, what should I check next?
Background: Car is 65 Corsa Convertible w/std alternator. Last fall,  
the original (solenoid based) Voltage Regulator went out and caused a  
lot of damage. As a result, I replace the rear wiring harness  
(fusible link blown) a new electronic Voltage Regulator from Clarks,  
locally had my alternator rebuilt , and bought and installed a new  
battery plus sending the AutoSound Radio (also a Clark's purchase)  
back to the factory for repair - which they did at no charge). Last  
month while driving, the radio got real loud then stopped working.  
The Alpine power amplifier went out. In replacing the amplifier at a  
local audio shop, it worked fine at idle but as I revved the engine  
it cut out (no sound). The audio technician using a digital meter (I  
only have an analog unit) checked out the voltage and found the very  
high (17+) volts at the amplifier and said he had never seen that  
much voltage. A subsequent call to Clarks Tech people lead to the  
purchase of another Voltage Regulator and swapped it then check with  
no change being noticed. Same result when I swapped a spare  
alternator - both mentioned above in the "Recent Attempts to  
correct". I noted that the gen/fan dash light is not working. I  
checked the bulb (it is OK) and have begun the continuity check on  
it's wire, but I am not sure that it is the root source of the problem.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Gary
Detroit