New Alternator Issues

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Oct 6, 2015 | 06:56 PM

mwoj

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 933

Likes: 394

From: Port Orchard, WA

New Alternator Issues

So I got a new alternator for my 360 because the bearings were speaking really bad. After researching some more about it, I learned that I'm supposed to have spacers on the bolts. There weren't any when I took it off, so this is probably why the bearings were messed up. I made a spacer for the bottom out of some washers but didn't make one for the top. Anyways, when I went to connect the battery, the terminal started sparking when I went to put on the cable.

This has never happened before so I'm thinking I messed up putting on the new alternator. Also, when I started it up there was a burning plastic smell. One thing I noticed is that one of the connectors on the back of the alternator is really close to the block. I'm worried that it might be arcing across. Today when I went to start it, my battery was totally dead. Any suggestions? Also, where can I pick up the alternator spacers? Thanks.

EDIT: I don't know how important this is, but one of the three connectors didn't fit so I soldered a different connector onto the alternator harness so that it would fit. Again, this may or may not be part of the problem.

Oct 6, 2015 | 08:28 PM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 50,256

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Make sure and always disconnect the battery cable when working on/removing the alternator. Was the spark a little one of a giant one? A little spark like when you hook up a batter charger is ok or normal to me.

Did you make sure and get an externally voltage regulated alternator? I believe there is a difference? The close to the block connector should have a rubber boot with a 90 on it.

Oct 16, 2015 | 05:35 PM

mwoj

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 933

Likes: 394

From: Port Orchard, WA

Ok so here's my alternator. Name: WOgciIe.jpg
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The bolt in the bottom left of the picture sits extremely close to the block, I'm not sure if that's causing it to short or what. I had it wired up like this: black wire with black connector cap to STA. Orange/red wire with red connector cap to BAT. Black wire with silver loop to FLD. Is this correct?

Here's how it sits in the truck. Name: zG7O8la.jpg
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Name: zG7O8la.jpg
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Size: 626.2 KB

Oct 16, 2015 | 05:59 PM

mwoj

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 933

Likes: 394

From: Port Orchard, WA

Here's a rough picture of how I had it wired. That connector at the base of the rubber part holding the wires together bolts to that bolt to the right of it. Name: QKBhiWS.jpg
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Name: QKBhiWS.jpg
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Size: 1.16 MB

Oct 16, 2015 | 10:54 PM

mwoj

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 933

Likes: 394

From: Port Orchard, WA

Anyone? There's a Caffeine and Carburetors on Sunday that I would like to bring the truck to.

Oct 17, 2015 | 03:22 AM

crazedfox

More Turbo

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 531

Likes: 4

From: LaGrange

You may have connected it wrong & fried the Alt.
So go get it tested/Replaced then try this:
--------
Alt. wiring on a 1975' truck.

Black with red-stripe wire to Bat. terminal.
(It's a 10-Ga. wire, the fat one.)

Orange wire to FLD. terminal.

White with black-stripe to STA. terminal.
--------
P.S.
Make sure the Battery is charged (12v. min.),
& get your voltage regulator tested as well.

Oct 17, 2015 | 01:56 PM

mwoj

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 933

Likes: 394

From: Port Orchard, WA

So we found out what the burning smell was: I fried the voltage regulator last time. I put on a new one, installed the alternator, fired it up and it instantly went up in smoke. Another voltage regulator in the garbage. What's the deal?