This morning going to work, the voltage gauge went south and the battery light came on. it occured a few miles from work so I drove there. Got the meter on the battery, no charging.

So after work, I'd figure I'll do more indepth wire check to the alternator. Well that didn't happen as a sudden down pour started and never let up!!! So I took a chance and drove home in a down pour, thanks for Rain-X I didn't need wipers much but with headlights on, the plug in volt meter showed a steady 11.4V with drops down to 11.2v the 20 mile drive home! Got to love big semi truck batteries!!

Now its 3G swap time!

After I got home I shut down the engine and restarted, it was slower but did fire up! I wonder how many miles is left in the battery before it dies....... I put every thing on in the truck, the voltage started dropping to 10.3V and then it stalled! Good to know that cut off point next time.

 

I had the same thing happen almost a year ago. Started hearing an occasional noise from the engine area while driving, sounded like a dry bearing and I made a mental note to check up on the cause the next day after work. Well the next day I was driving home and saw the battery light come on, a glance at both the factory and digital voltmeters showed no charge, but after a few miles the light went out and voltage returned to normal.

I figured why repair the factory alternator (95A 3G) when I can replace it with a 130A unit, which I got from Gluecks off of an Explorer with the 4.0 engine. Works great, and the voltage no longer drops off at idle!

 

If you are gonna get a new one from a parts store you can get one for a 1995 7.3 powerstroke and all you have to do is swap over the pulley

 

So the 95 7.3 uses a 3G?

 

Yep its off to Gluecks this sunday and find one! Till then, I'll take the Bus.... at 8MPG

Actually any 93 to 96 E-250 vans with the 4.9L engine came with the 130A 3G and its direct bolt in(I have the 4.9L engine). I just have to change out the charging wire from the "infamous loves to burn up" 2G plug on my 89 F250. I do have a 93 Explorer fuse/relay box I will be installing to use the relays for head lights and blower motor, so I'll re modify it for alternator fuses(it had them but I removed them). At least this happened before I install it.

Parts places sure want some $$$ for a reman unit! I found it funny some places wanted more for the 95A 3G than the 130A 3G alternators........

 

Yes or you can get bigger ones

 

1995 7.3 is a sidemount alternator.
Which of his trucks is that going to fit?

 

My truck is a 1995 f150 with a 5.8 and it I was a direct swap.

 

5.8 is NOT a 460 or a 4.9...

 

Well no... What motor are we talkin bout here?

 

If you read his sig or post #5 you would know he is driving a 4.9.

Although he does have a 1995 460 van.
Still not sidemount...

 

Don't go there on the Bus alternator! That is one big hunk sitting there, at least 200A!!!! Hate to replace that thing.

Anyway, tonight with no rain, I swapped out the 2G with another 2G from the 302 engine that ate a cam sprocket last year. I made up a custom top mount bracket as the 302 is not clocked the same as the 4.9 engine and is smaller in diameter between the mounts.

Got it running and its charging now but now the battery light is stuck on! The load tester shows 50amps going into the battery so it was low on charge from the drive yesterday.

Unfortunately that's all that alternator is giving in amperage(load tester showed 55amps max at 10.6V draw).... at least its charging and once the battery is fully charged hopefully that light goes out.

This weekend is 3G scrounging time for sure at the junkyards.

 

I'm pretty sure you need the same 8.25" C-C as my 460.

If you want the 130A, these will be found in early '90's Taurus/Sable 3.8l V6's.
IIRC the '95 Lincoln Continental and Windstar also took these.

If you look it up on Amazon or the DB Electric site it should give you the listings.

Your van has a Mitsubishi Ambulance alternator?

 

The 93 to 96 E250 vans with the 4.9L has the 3G 130A alternators too.

On the Bus, I am not sure of which alternator is in it as its buried under the 2nd AC compressor for the rear AC unit. It does have the external voltage regulator. It probly a Leece-Neville alternator. With 3 condenser fans and two blower motors on the rear AC system running the Carrier svc manual says its about a 100 amps pull!!!

 

Surprised that Ford would put that high output alternator in a 4.9l van.
Unless it was optioned out with heated 5-way seats, and power everything.
The 95A (four hole) ones were common.

I just haven't seen a LN alternator in a serpentine van.
The Mitsu 210A ambulance alternators are running a 8 or 10 rib belt.