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The alternator in my 1986 F150 302 EFI is making a scraping noise which I surmise to be a bad bearing. Haynes says the F-Series utilized four different alternators over the years. The biggest differences seem to be whether the fan is internal or external and whether the regulator is internal or external. The alternator that is presently on my truck looks like this:
Clearly, it has an external fan with two connectors which Haynes says are the regulator connector and the rectifier connector. However, I do not see a regulator mounted in the engine compartment so am guessing the regulator is internal. Rockauto offers several options but I am having difficulty in selecting the correct one as most refer to an external regulator. Can anyone offer assistance as to which alternator I need? Thank you.
What type of output wire configuration do you have? If you do not have a large nut with the fat output wire on it, but have a slide-on connector with two orange/black wires side by side as the output, I would change that alternator out for something else. Those alternators are known as the 2G, and they are prone to melting that connector and failing to charge, and worst case catching on fire. You said yours, is a 86 with a internal regulator, it sure does sound like the 2G. While looking for alternators you may have seen a note once in awhile about the warranty being void if a new connector is not used. That is what they are talking about, that connector that is prone to getting loose and causing problems.
I had one of these on my 1986 Ranger pickup. I retro-fitted a GM alternator off a Monte Carlo onto it. It does require some modifications to be made to the brackets, most alternator retro fits do. I am not sure if you are up for that or not.
Mr. Franklin2 -
Thank you for the helpful reply and links. Yes, I believe my truck has the G2 alternator. My situation is similar to the one described in your link to Gary's Garagemahal in that (1) my truck is bone stock with no aftermarket electrical accessories, and (2) has a working ammeter gauge in the dash and I would like to keep its functionality. After viewing the procedure for upgrading to the G3 system, I concur that converting to the Gen 3 unit is above my comfort level. It seems replacement as mentioned in the hotrod.com link with a Duralast Gold from AutoZone or possibly the Power Select 774510N from Rockauto might serve my needs. Many thanks for your insight.
Jim -
This is an enlargement of the photo attached to my earlier post. One plug has two wires, the other has three:
I would like to get the alternator from Rockauto. Is reman worthwhile or should I just get a new one?
Thank you.
Jim -
This is an enlargement of the photo attached to my earlier post. One plug has two wires, the other has three:
I would like to get the alternator from Rockauto. Is reman worthwhile or should I just get a new one?
Thank you.
Thank you for the photo, it helps a lot. Your truck is wired the same as mine, with only 2 wires on the voltage regulator (VR) plug.
Which means if you go to the parts store and by a direct replacement ALT, hook it up and then it doesn't work, take it back to the parts store and they test it and it works fine. It seems all new VR's require all 3 inputs to work. So plan on also buying a new plug for the VR.
Regarding new or rebuilt, your biggest problem will be finding one with the correct pulley.
If you find one at a local parts store they will swap the pulley if needed.
Jim -
This is an enlargement of the photo attached to my earlier post. One plug has two wires, the other has three:
I would like to get the alternator from Rockauto. Is reman worthwhile or should I just get a new one?
Thank you.
Reman it yourself. If it just the bearing replace the bearing. And pick up new brushes while you are at it. The only special tools you will need are an Impact gun to rattle the pulley nut off. Otherwise the job is super easy.
You will need the drive bearing (the rear one never fails) and the brush set. When you have it apart, give the rear bearing a little smear of fresh grease (it's a needle bearing).
