FE One Wire Alternator
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 115
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From: Allen, Texas
FE One Wire Alternator
Alright, I've got a 360FE out of a '72 F100. I'm looking at trying to find a one wire alternator for it that isn't stupid expensive. What is everyone else using? I found one on Summit Racing that was supposedly for a 390 which I ordered but the case is too deep and it hits the head.
Any suggestions guys?
Any suggestions guys?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
A lot of guys are using a GM unit. You should be able to find the info online. There was just an exchange on this at the Ford Galaxie Cub of America's Facebook page.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Wa
Do you have a welder? I put a 12si 100amp from Jegs in my CJ5 and just cut and rewelded the mounting brackets to fit it. Then its just a matter of taking measurements of the belt length and taking it over to your local parts house to match one up.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Skip the 1 wire alternator. Do the 3G swap it is 100% bolt on and the stock brackets will work. You just need to run the green wire from the old voltage regulator to the 3g excite wire and then hook up the sensing wire from the alternator to either the battery or the fuse box (don't hook this up to the back of the alternator it will give bad performance and its super lazy) the last wire you need to hook up is a 4ga charge wire from the alternator to the battery side of the solenoid , use a inline 150amp fuse. You can do the entire swap for under 70.00 most of the time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: DFW Texas
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 2
From: Stoughton WI.
I put a 1 wire Alt on my 428 with the older brackets from a car. It mounts lower than the truck brackets. I did this before I knew about the 3G. Let me know if you want some pictures of it.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 7
From: Gainesville, GA
I put a GM 1 wire alternator on mine over 15 years ago and never looked back. I believe I had to use a metric bolt for the adjuster and got a belt to fit. Got rid of all that voltage regulator stuff that used to fail.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Glendale, AZ
Thanks!
Eric
Rabbit-Hole Researcher
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 466
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From: Middle of Ohio
The reason a "one-wire" setup is less attractive, is that the wire used for sensing the system voltage is just jumpered over to the main output cable, B+. All the alternator knows is its own output.
A better way is to have this "sensing" wire routed all the way into the cab, sensing the voltage where it goes into the fuse block (or Main Junction). There is a lot of resistance from the battery all the way into the cab, and the voltage use/drain is way downstream. With this setup, the alternator will sense that it needs to run at a higher voltage to keep the system lively, and healthy.
The battery needs about 14.4 volts to charge properly, so it will be happiest with the higher system voltage too. Your headlights will get a little more juice this way, and will burn much brighter. Halogen headlight bulbs will last longer as a side benefit.
(simplified version...)
A better way is to have this "sensing" wire routed all the way into the cab, sensing the voltage where it goes into the fuse block (or Main Junction). There is a lot of resistance from the battery all the way into the cab, and the voltage use/drain is way downstream. With this setup, the alternator will sense that it needs to run at a higher voltage to keep the system lively, and healthy.
The battery needs about 14.4 volts to charge properly, so it will be happiest with the higher system voltage too. Your headlights will get a little more juice this way, and will burn much brighter. Halogen headlight bulbs will last longer as a side benefit.
(simplified version...)
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 2
From: Stoughton WI.
Jeeper I will try 2 get some pictures soon and the part # of the 1 wire that I used. I saved the box. I also put the same one on my skid steer. Gehl wanted over $300 for a new one. That one mounted ok with switching the factory bracket around and adding 2 washers for spacers.
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