Hi, I have a '89 Ford F150 with a rebuilt V8. One day every thing
was OK, next day vehicle wouldn't start. Jump started it and it
ran fine, but if left standing for 2+ hours, wouldn't start. So I
replaced the battery (which was +3 years old).

With the new battery vehicle ran fine for about a week. Was left
standing 48 hours and wouldn't start again, jumped it and
headed out, part way to my destination smelled electrical and
thought I detected smoke coming from engine compartment.

Stopped and checked but saw no sign of the problem, both smell
and smoke disappeared, vehicle kept running. Stopped and
started engine a couple of times with no problem.

Then as I was on my way home, smelled odor again (not very
strong) and shortly thereafter the engine shut down with no
electrical (even dome light gone).

I'm assuming the alternator burned out and battery was drained.
Am I right? Are there other possibilities I should look into before I
run out and replace the Alt? Are any of the other parts of the
electrical now suspect and need to be replaced as well? Is the
battery now toast?

Any help and/or advice are greatly appreciated.

 

That probably has that "Flame Thrower" alternator on it. Ford had a problem with them in the late 80s there is an updated wiring harness available for it. Replace the alt with a high quality one not one from AutoZone. Get the new harness and solder it in place. This should fix it.

 

Yup....check that connector there at the alternator. If you've got the "flame thrower" you'll see the melted connector. If you're planning on keeping the truck, do what Pfogle just said. That will eliminate the problem. The old connector was a poor design and it's only 15 years old!