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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Dumb alternator question

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Old Oct 4, 2012 | 07:49 PM
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Fastolds
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Dumb alternator question

I have a 1986 f150 with a 4.9 inline 6. This truck doesn't have any options, it is a base model truck.

What's the easiest way to find out what amperage the alternator is? I need to get some new belts, and I apparently need to know what size it is. My alt has 2 belts on it, if that helps.

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Old Oct 4, 2012 | 08:17 PM
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Well, looking a little closer at the parts catalog, I would assume I do not have a 70 or 100A alternator, given the lack of options on this truck. That being said, my only alternator belts that require 2 belts, like mine, is one that is 70 or 100A or "other". So I am going to go with "other" and assume that mine is probably a 42A or maybe a 65A alternator. So those are the ones I will try.

I like it when I can answer my own question, sort of. I would still like to find out for sure, just in case I need an alternator at some point.
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Old Oct 4, 2012 | 09:44 PM
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Actually, when I bought an alternator to replace the one that failed I didn't have any choice. All O'Reilly's had was either a 60 or 65 amp unit, but I don't remember which. And, I have read that others have found the same problem. Having said that, measure the belts you have, or take them with you to the parts store.

Btw, our son starts with AstraZeneca next Monday, so we'll be running around in your neck of the woods again. Used to live just out of Hockessin, 1/4 mile into PA off 7/Limestone.
 
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Old Oct 4, 2012 | 11:36 PM
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IIRC there were 40, 60 and 70 amp alternators from the factory, my understanding is that parts stores these days have only 70A ones available (which is OK, it will replace a 40A or 60A just fine).
 
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Old Oct 5, 2012 | 06:50 AM
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I looked on Autozone's site, there are a lot of different belts listed for your truck. Run the engine around by hand and read the numbers off the belts. If you can't see the numbers, then take the belt off and take a measuring tape and mark the belt on the outside and measure it completely around on the outside of the belt. If you give us the measurements, we can tell you what belt to get.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2012 | 11:27 AM
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This one is a 60A, as shown by the first 3 numbers.
.
 
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