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Let me know if you can see them. I had to get back in my old photo site I've not been into in YEARS.
Anyway, prob pull the old alt this weekend and take another few pics.
Is the "pin" the only thing holding the alternator down?? That's real weak. The wiring is pretty sketchy, too, the green wire appears to be alternator output and looks to be a 12 ga., should be an 8 ga.
yeah the old harness was a patchwork princess to say the least.
It worked (as long as you didn't run the heat, wwipers or headlights)
and that's about all I can say about it.
it's now mostly cut up on the floor in bits and in the bed of the truck!
Is the belt aligned correctly with the WP's and crank pulley? If so, I'd make some kind of strap to the alternator's bolt "tube" on top that also bolts into the original generator support. I can imagine belt tension is holding the alt in place, but if the thin "pin" ever shears, your alt could take off and do all kinds of bad things.
Yeah, the belt is straight.
not best angle in the photo so it looks misleading.
I found a pic online of the generator "strap" and it appears that long
thin "pin bolt" they used on my alternator is going thru the old pin hole
on the generator mount.
Anyways, Ive looked at some other mount options but it sounds like you have to grind 1/2 to 5/8's off the alternator to get the belt pulley to align.
Speedway has one, and my trucks running the 5/8's wide belt.
which is the one you have to do the grinding to get it alighn.
Macsautoparts.com has a 12v 40am alt "Kit' that comes with the alt and bracket for $180 but it's only a 40amp alternator.
and from the options I selected that i'd like, i'm in the 90 to 100 amp range.
If I go plane jane, the 40amp would prob work.
Well, I'm going to try mounting the "donor" 70 Chevelle alt my bud gave me and just see if it fits my old mount, if it does at least I have an
known option that works and maybe can get a 1 wire and go that route.
The only other gotcha for me is what to do for gauges (alt or volt guage)
and could I possibly run the stock one?
I've looked at new gauges at Speedway for ex, $700 range for a pair to fit where the orginals went.
I'd like to run the originals but we'll see. aint got "that far" yet!
going to a local super car show today, will peek at some example trucks, they usually have a few there.
The difference in spacing fore-aft on trucks vs. car flatheads has been discussed here quite a while ago, and I'm sure it was resolved that someone found a slingshot mount that didn't require grinding. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8443751
I didn't know they ever made an alternator that only put out 40 amps. Mine is 65, which is plenty for what I have for loads. Many 1-wires are 90 amps, that's overkill unless you have A/C, power windows, EFI, etc. Whatever you use, the output wire needs to be capable of handling it.
I use my stock ammeter, it works fine since it is an induction loop (no physical wire connection). It's kind of boring tho, it reads -0- after the first 20 seconds of running. A voltmeter would be more useful (but likely just as boring). To make the stock ammeter work correctly, you run the alternator output in to the dash and connect just like the stock generator output wire on the circuit breaker. That's nice also because then the alternator regulator senses voltage near the load. If you run the alternator output direct to the battery, the loads get slightly lower voltage.
The difference in spacing fore-aft on trucks vs. car flatheads has been discussed here quite a while ago, and I'm sure it was resolved that someone found a slingshot mount that didn't require grinding. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8443751
I didn't know they ever made an alternator that only put out 40 amps. Mine is 65, which is plenty for what I have for loads. Many 1-wires are 90 amps, that's overkill unless you have A/C, power windows, EFI, etc. Whatever you use, the output wire needs to be capable of handling it.
I use my stock ammeter, it works fine since it is an induction loop (no physical wire connection). It's kind of boring tho, it reads -0- after the first 20 seconds of running. A voltmeter would be more useful (but likely just as boring). To make the stock ammeter work correctly, you run the alternator output in to the dash and connect just like the stock generator output wire on the circuit breaker. That's nice also because then the alternator regulator senses voltage near the load. If you run the alternator output direct to the battery, the loads get slightly lower voltage.
I'll check out that post on the slingshot mounts. I'm not a fan of grinding but I realize that was what the PO did on this truck. 1 of the 4 alternator long thin bolt mounts was ground so it would fit the old Generator mount.
I tried my bud's new alternator and id' have to grind about 2 or 3 -16ths off of the front (towards radiator) for it to line up the belt correctly.
Thanks for the info about the amp guage too.
Right now I'm on the fence AGAIN,
going to try a local alternator rebuild shop first, if they can convert my existing alt (that fits) to a 1 wire I'll go that route.
Not sure I want to grind anything new, so that's got me (plan b) back to the powermaster.
I'll check that link tho, may post a question there too.
IF ANYONE has recently got a slingshot mount and alternator and use
the wide belt with no grinding PLEASE let me know where you got it.
It's the Alan Grove Component's brand (Yogi's is one of their distributors).
Also,
I found out I have a 10SI GM alternator (fit's a 67' Impala) and the case was altered to fit the flathead "generator mount".
Well I called a local Alternator rebuilder "Ace Rebuilders Inc" in Ashland Va, they briefly discussed with me over the phone some options.
It's possible they can convert my 10Si ext regulated alternator into a "internal regulated" 1 wire. I've got to take it up there for them to inspect it.
So, if I can get my old one rebuilt may do that, as the price is ballpark about the cost of buying a new one, but wont know exact till the check it out.
Plan b, my car buddies insist I go powermaster brand. Speedway's got one a 90amp for about $100-120 range.
Slowly..making progress...
PS: Someone mentioned checking a place called "Mid West Fifty's Ford" or something like that... well, using that name as a internet search I found a bunch of other parts places, probably keyed off of "Mid west" in the search. keep diggin'!
T
well I ended up buying an alternator from qualitypowerauto.com as it ended up being about what it would cost me to Frankenstein 2 to make 1.
got a 1wire 100 amp, should suffice for adding Halogen headlights and a electric cooling fan, stereo, etc.
now I just need to find a new belt, apparently with that sling shot mount and new alt (with a smaller pulley) I need a little longer belt.
I used a piece of wire and measured the belt "run" got so it bottomed out in the pulleys, but it measured:
53 Inches.
I "Was" using a 54in belt on old setup.
Got a new belt at 55 1/4 and it's just a tad too small.
56 or 57inch would probably do.
found some napa part numbers on another thread, will see what I can find tomorrow.
I'd use the shortest belt you can, even if you have to loosen the big nut on the slingshot and tilt the alt a little to get it over the sheave. The slingshots can vibrate fore-aft if the alt is up high.
Actually I got a Napa 25-22553 belt which was about 55 1/4 inch by my measurement, (forgot the exact measurement Napa quoted),
but I had to completely remove the alternator to get this belt on, and in process of tightening the bolts, it started making it "banjo tight" so I went back to Napa today for a 25-22570.
That one is supposed to be about 1 inch or so larger.
Which I'm hoping will make it loose enough to get on the pulley with the alternator "loose" (without having to completely remove the bolts to get the belt on) and not be "banjo tight" once it's all socked down tight.
Side note: I'd planned on going with an electric fan, it's the reason I got the 100amp alternator.
Any recommendations on a decent "electric fan" (brand / type)?
I spent most of Saturday researching this, found more than I wanted at Jeg's and found one at MidFifty's Ford (that's been verified a decent one per them). I see that they are from 50 bucks to 500 range depending on size and brand. Someone mentioned "Be Cool" brand and Flexalite.
Probably don't want to go cheap here for durability/quality.
If you have one, what did you get? and Where?
The Napa belt #25-22570 fit pretty good, I loosened the alt bolts and
it went on with a little effort. That one is supposed to be about 1 inch or so larger.
When all tight, I had to adj the alt up, about 1 inch.
So, after break in, I'm sure it will need more adjusting but I think this one will be OK and not have to extend to far to make anything wobbly.
Also: on the Side note: "electric fan",
I spoke to a Mustang buddy of mine that mentioned AutoZone's brand of electric fans, says his group of buddies have used them as replacements (on the Mustangs) with no problems, thought it odd to want to spend too much for "just a 12v fan".
Now, I know Opinion's are as common as @zzholes, but I'd still like to hear if anyone has a suggestion, for a "brand or source" on a fan.
I looked at Fan shrouds too and other than guessing on one (at about 75bucks) or Making one from sheet metal.
From what I've seen, I'm leaning on a fan with a cage, and a generic radiator mount for the fan and running no shroud.
Now that I've jacked up the alternator, my old belt driven fan may need a longer belt as well. May test fit that over the weekend but I'm leaning on a electric fan.
Not sure if this "would" fit but for the price, it'd be worth a try.
They way my bud spoke about "autozone fans" sounded like they had installed a few of them over the past few years and not had any problems.
(these guys buy and sell "Fox body Mustangs") and have quite a few cars personally so I know they tinker on them quite often.
I'll bug him for details but if anyone else has a suggestion, please advise.
Once I get this "fan stuff" settled, it's Wiring time!
Well, not much progress, ran a few more wire runs this weekend.
Still hung up on how to do this electric fan, thinking of at least a 16inch fan.
Mounting it is still a question, not sure i'm a fan of the push thru mounts and finding a rad mount for an apx 22in wide rad is proving difficult.
Finding a spot for the thermostat is going to take some time as well, I'm running 2 water temp gauges (left and right bank) so unless I can find a tee of some sort that has enough room for the temp probes,
or get one in the heater hose line feed maybe...
Ok so far I've managed to get the old fan and belts back on, skipping the elect fan for now.
Tested the starter/button and headlights.
Figured I'd hold here and order some wire loom and I opted for the Halogen headlight relay kit and a new turn signal.
(my old pathfinder 550) is a 3wire and i'm not 100% sure it's really working correctly. I went for a new 6 or 7wire turn signal with hazard flashers.
I read up on some folks using a simple toggle switch type switch for hidden turn signals and one for emerg flashers to clean up the steering column, nice idea, I may try that as a plan b once I can figure out how this new switch works with the KwikWire harness.
Ordered some wire loom so I'm going to go back and test, loom, wire trim, etc and get from the headlights to the dash done before I venture forward.
Sorry not much for photos here, but if anyone needs a specific photo I can try to post.
This has been a tad bit tedious on work but I only get Saturday to do this so it's going SLOW....
Purchased a new turn signal switch from kwik-wire, universal type.
My old 3wire wasn't working exactly right, not to mention a bit confusing on attachment to the kwikwire harness.
Anyways, last night I got it mocked up and tested and we have lights, parking, tail lights, turn signals and emerg flashers.
The only gotcha with this universal switch is it's 6 or 7 wires, I'm going to see if I can find a AMP connector that will make it easy for disco/removal in the future.
With so much done (and more to go) I may try to clean up what I have and wire loom, shorten any wire runs and neaten it up a bit before going forward.
The dash, wwipers and heater motor are going to be the next challenges.
until next time!
T
