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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 07:22 PM
  #1  
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Alternator upgrades

1975 F250 with 360 and Auto trans with originbal low amp output alternator
Pretty sure these came back in the day with a basic 40 or 50 AMP alternator.

Can these original 40 or 50 amp alternators be rebuilt/upgraded to a higher output; say 60 to 70 amps?

Pretty sure there was a factory option for a 60 amp alternator as well but I dont have on in my ride. Thinking I would like to have mine rebuilt to yield a greater output.
Any thoughts appreciated
Thanks
Tbruz
 
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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 07:30 PM
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Is this a strict resto? If not, then consider the 130-amp, 3G alternator retrofit. Links are provided in the Tech Info Compilation linked in my signature.

IIRC, a 60- or 65-amp alternator was equipped with heavier duty packages like Camper Specials, Trailer Specials, and the like. Prolly those with A/C too.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 07:43 PM
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I am trying to keep it stock; would ideally like to keep the original outer case and rebuild/upgrade the internals.
Thanks
Tbruz
 
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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by tbruz
I am trying to keep it stock; would ideally like to keep the original outer case and rebuild/upgrade the internals.
Thanks
Tbruz
Next time please state your goal to maintain period correctness.

I think this is the Nth time we've had to ask.... or start a build/resto thread instead of peppering the board with one-off, hit and run inquiries. I think it would help everyone to stay focused on your goal.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 08:42 PM
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I believe the factory offered the 1G case up to 60 or 65 amps. Reman alternators at the parts store often carry this higher rating and there are new alternatives available from Powermaster and others. I think Powermaster offers a significantly higher rating also in the 1G case (Summit).

If the truck is all stock or close 60 or 65 or even 40 amps should be enough. My '78 rolled for many years with a 40 amp.

If you have a good bit of added load, I would suggest something better than a 1G case alternator to get good idle output and decent alternator life.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by tbruz
1975 F250 with 360 and Auto trans with originbal low amp output alternator
Pretty sure these came back in the day with a basic 40 or 50 AMP alternator.

Can these original 40 or 50 amp alternators be rebuilt/upgraded to a higher output; say 60 to 70 amps?

Pretty sure there was a factory option for a 60 amp alternator as well but I dont have on in my ride. Thinking I would like to have mine rebuilt to yield a greater output.
Any thoughts appreciated
Thanks
Tbruz
The Ford truck parts catalog shows for the 1975 F-250 alternator outputs of 40, 55 (std. & hi-temp), 60 (std. & hi-temp), and 61 (std. & hi-temp). The only higher output for 1975 was 70 amps, but it was for the 500 series. 1976-78 had 90 amps in the vans & 1979 had 100 amps, again in the vans. The highest for those years in the F series was 70.
If you want to use yours, perhaps it could be rewound. Check with a good alternator shop.
 
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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 10:37 AM
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Check your local parts store. Most of the reman units are 65-70 amps and can be had for $50, which I imagine is going to be much cheaper than an alt shop
 
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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 10:38 AM
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Thanks to all for the input; i"ll be hitting a alternator rebuild shop to see what can be done using the existing Motorcraft case.
Thanks again
Tbruz
 
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 11:38 AM
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Brought my old alt to a local starter/Alternator rebuild shop where they tested it and confirmed it was a 40 amp max output alternator. They will rebuild/upgrade it to 60 amps utilizing my case and will have it back in 48 hours, 90 bucks.
Thanks
Tbruz
 
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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You read the part where I said it was about $50 for a 65-70 amp output alternator, right?

-No waiting 48 hours
-Still has stock appearance, still plug and play
-Save $40
-Gain another 5-10 amps over the rebuild

Your choice, but that seems a bit counter-intuitive
 
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 06:19 PM
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Burnthelight88
Saw that but thinking that $40 to keep it more "original" was worth it to me.
Got it back in one day and its pushing 63amps.

Co-incidentally, after installing it, my high beam indicator now works, didn't before.(stopped working) ;-(
Not sure if its related or not but ill take the end result!

Thanks to all for their input; another mod/upgrade in the DONE column.
Tbruz
 
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Old Nov 11, 2015 | 06:27 PM
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Well that's a win then. I'm also in pursuit of keeping my project original, but I think I may have deviated for that. No good alt shops around me though so that probably has something to do with it.
 
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