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If I replace the stock 40 amp alternator on my 63 F100 with a one-wire internally regulated 85-amp GM alternator, can I ditch the mechanical regulator? Same for the regulator in the dash?
Probably should replace/upgrade the wire from the alt. output to battery. 85 a. is alot more than 40 a., I'd hate to see the charge wire go up in smoke!
I am having some electrical problem what does the dash regulator looks like. I have blown the external regulator due to faulty wiring and corrected that but the dash regulator may cause further problem when I get the dash gauge working/rewired.
The constant voltage regulator drops voltage to the gages. It is a silver box about as big as your thumb. If it goes bad the gages usually peg or do not move at all. They are available aftermarket but way over priced. Junk yards are full of them and if you plan to use aftermarket gages you won't need it. They are adjustable to center the temp gage. Easy to break!
Originally posted by William They are adjustable to center the temp gage. Easy to break!
William - how do you adjust the dash regulator? I didn't know you could adjust them - They look identical on both my 63 and 64 - basically a smooth stamped-sheetmetal bucket with a heavy cardboard cover through which the spade terminals protrude; Do you have to remove the cardboard cover to get at an adjustment? The gauges in one of the dashes are dead and have been replaced with aftermarket ones, the other dash kinda works but reads low no matter which of the regulators I use... the fuel gauge only climbs to 3/4 when the tank is full... I wrote it off as a googy gauge; the sender gets close enough to spec with an ohm meter, and it climbs all the way to full if I ground the sender. adjusting it would be worth a try!
John, Open it up and increase the presure by shiming under the contact arm. I use 600 grit sand paper because it is thin and doesn't take up moisture. Or, use fingernail polish remover and take the sealer off the tiny lug that sticks through the cardboard, twist the lug (actually has threads on it) to increase or decrease tenshion of the contact arm. Then use super glue to seal it.
William: thanks for the info! (it never dawned on me that was an adjusting screw... but it makes sense. DOH!)
Arnolan: here is a photo - the lug William is talking about is above the spade terminal on left... I haven't tried taking it apart or adjusting it yet, but I'm betting a little will go a long way.