Its a short video clip. Hope it works. Truck is not running. Watch ALT gauge. Click on image to view.

 

It looks to me like you have a dead short - when the alt gauge goes to discharge - followed by the circuit breaker for that system popping - when the alt needle centers - then the breaker resets itself and encounters the dead short again so the needle goes back to discharge , etc. etc. There is a circuit breaker built into your light switch for the headlight circuit. I thought I heard your breaker popping in your video. I'd be looking in that direction. Of course, as usual, I could be wrong . . . Good luck.

 

Mine would do that, and flutter and all kinds of crazy, stopped at NAPA, new Voltage Regulator, only moves when it needs to now.

 

The alternator regulator used thru 1981 has points, which are notorious for getting stuck.

Look at the cover, if it has dents, people rapped on it with their knuckles or screw driver handles to unstick the points.

1982: Ford replaced the points type regulator with an electronic regulator. It has a nearly flat aluminum cover with MOTORCRAFT embossed on the diagonal.

Get one a these, eliminate the points. Nothing needs to be changed, just bolt it on, plug in the wiring harness...and that's it.

 

Thanks men! I'll pick a regulator up today.

 

You nailed it SuperSabre. After replacing voltage regulator and HAVING NO LUCK. (always good to have a spare)
Wiper motor was burnt. It was still nice and toasty warm after having the key on for 15 min.
Thanks for the help. Owe you a cold one.

 

Then you remove the top from your Autolite correct regulator and place it on your electronic Motorcraft regulator. No one knows but you as my four Fords all have that. Got lucky as someone had a screaming deal on Motorcraft regulators several years ago on eBay.

 

Looked at a NOS Autolite on eBay this morning. 495.00 or some crazy number like that.

AutoZone 22.00.

Thanks for the camouflage tip.

 

Yeah, forget NOS Autolite points regulators. I got the 5 US made Motorcraft regulators for $19 each. Then one can get correct covers from many vendors like NPD or AMK.

 

When the electronic regulators replaced the old point type, some people that owned old Ford's with the Auto-Lite regulator complained about the electronic cover.

I told 'em, remove your original cover, install on new electronic regulator, NO ONE will know the difference.

The alternator point type regulator covers are the same: 1963/64 Thunderbird/Lincoln - 1965/81 everything else. The original Auto-Lite regulator cover was painted black.

1972/81 Motorcraft regulator cover was painted blue. Motorcraft replaced Auto-Lite in 1972 after Ford was forced by the US Gov't to sell Auto-Lite in 1971.