Alternator Upgrade
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
Looking at a couple of alternators now.
'95 Mustang w/5.0 - 130 amp - $154.99
'95 Taurus w/3.0 - 130amp - $119.99
Both lifetime warranty. What's the real difference? The only thing I see is the rear covers are different, front covers the same. Or is it priced that way just because it's for a Mustang???
Taurus:
.
.
.
.
.
Mustang:
'95 Mustang w/5.0 - 130 amp - $154.99
'95 Taurus w/3.0 - 130amp - $119.99
Both lifetime warranty. What's the real difference? The only thing I see is the rear covers are different, front covers the same. Or is it priced that way just because it's for a Mustang???
Taurus:
.
.
.
.
.
Mustang:
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
If I had a 1990s parts catalog it'd be a bit easier to see if they're the same things.
Can't rely on pictures, though, need to compare part numbers for the different vehicles. Look up the replacement part numbers for the two cars and see if the part numbers are the same or not.
Pictures are often just stock images and are representative of what the thing generally looks like.
Can't rely on pictures, though, need to compare part numbers for the different vehicles. Look up the replacement part numbers for the two cars and see if the part numbers are the same or not.
Pictures are often just stock images and are representative of what the thing generally looks like.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
If I had a 1990s parts catalog it'd be a bit easier to see if they're the same things.
Can't rely on pictures, though, need to compare part numbers for the different vehicles. Look up the replacement part numbers for the two cars and see if the part numbers are the same or not.
Can't rely on pictures, though, need to compare part numbers for the different vehicles. Look up the replacement part numbers for the two cars and see if the part numbers are the same or not.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Mustang owners are fanatic. They WILL pay for something intended for a 'Mustang'
How many people are that crazy about their Windstar or Sable???
I take it you decided you needed the 7" C-C variety?
How many people are that crazy about their Windstar or Sable???
I take it you decided you needed the 7" C-C variety?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
That's what I thought. Going to pick one up for a Taurus 3.0 right now.
Update:
ArdWrknTrk - Thanks for the update. I believe I just got the 8:00 one. Works out perfect.
Fits like a glove.
Just need to put in a Heli-coil and mount.
For those wondering, '95 Taurus with the 3.0 and a/c.
Last edited by 81ChopTop; Feb 15, 2013 at 04:56 PM. Reason: Added info
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Yes, that is 8:00... so the 12:00 Mustang model would have been pointing wrong anyhow.
Looks Good!
Even if your serpentine setup doesn't use that bolt as a tensioner it's nice to be able to use a single wrench from the front to bolt the alternator in place.
Do you mind if I ask who manufactures it?
I'm sure your lights, fan and any other accessories will be thankful as well!
Looks Good!
Even if your serpentine setup doesn't use that bolt as a tensioner it's nice to be able to use a single wrench from the front to bolt the alternator in place.
Do you mind if I ask who manufactures it?
I'm sure your lights, fan and any other accessories will be thankful as well!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 11
From: Wausau, WI
Yes, that is 8:00... so the 12:00 Mustang model would have been wrong anyhow.
Looks Good!
Even if your serpentine setup doesn't use that bolt as a tensioner it's nice to be able to use a single wrench from the front to bolt the alternator in place.
That's what I was thinking too. The tensioner mounting bolt has to have a nut on the back side and I really don't like it, but it works.
Do you mind if I ask who manufactures it?
That would be me.
I'm sure your lights, fan and any other accessories will be thankful as well!
Looks Good!
Even if your serpentine setup doesn't use that bolt as a tensioner it's nice to be able to use a single wrench from the front to bolt the alternator in place.
That's what I was thinking too. The tensioner mounting bolt has to have a nut on the back side and I really don't like it, but it works.
Do you mind if I ask who manufactures it?
That would be me.
I'm sure your lights, fan and any other accessories will be thankful as well!
I've read too that an alternator will last longer using 30% of its power than 60%, so that's another plus going with a higher amperage.
Next question, I have a 150A waterproof Buss circuit breaker to hook up. Seeing the alternator is supplying the power, that should be hooked up to the "batt" side and the "aux" side would go towards the battery, am I thinking correct on this? Basically wire it up in reverse?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: SW Kansas
This might be a good future project, I'm starting to get back into cb radio, and have an amplifier that
draws 45 amps. On my old Toyota 4x4 there was a kit to put a 100 amp chevy 1 wire on it, the off road guys liked them for running lights and winches.
draws 45 amps. On my old Toyota 4x4 there was a kit to put a 100 amp chevy 1 wire on it, the off road guys liked them for running lights and winches.
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
In addition to the clocking and rear cover differences, the voltage regulators are different. The Taurus alt has a regulator with 'load response control', where basically the alternator eases into charging over something like 2.5 seconds. The Mustang alt doesn't have LRC, so it just kicks right on. There are no problems using LRC regulators in place of non-LRC, but you can see problems the other way around.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
A lot of people who do this swap complain of squeal on startup.
I have linked the WAI-Transpo page describing the various regulator models in other threads.
I'm sure AlternatorMan would know more than I do about this.
From what I can find;
F785, Black, 14.6 set, no soft start.
F786, White, 14.5 set, 6 sec. soft start
F794, Gray, 14.6 set, no soft start.
F795, White, 14.6 set, 2.5 sec soft start
I have linked the WAI-Transpo page describing the various regulator models in other threads.
I'm sure AlternatorMan would know more than I do about this.
From what I can find;
F785, Black, 14.6 set, no soft start.
F786, White, 14.5 set, 6 sec. soft start
F794, Gray, 14.6 set, no soft start.
F795, White, 14.6 set, 2.5 sec soft start
Last edited by ArdWrknTrk; Feb 19, 2013 at 04:27 PM. Reason: Add a few options
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