Alternator upgrade
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 122
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From: NE Oregon
Alternator upgrade
Have any of you guys ever upgraded/swapped to a single wire alternator that is used in Chevies, eliminating the seperate regulator used in the Ford? Just eyeing a higher capacity alternator (140amp) that has an internal regulator. Can it be adapted to a Ford electrical system?
Junior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 68
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Alternator upgrade
Guys building their own rods do it all the time. Sure makes it easy when you're putting things where they don't normally belong. I believe you can use existing brackets, depending on the clocking of mounting ears on the one-wire you're using. I've dealt with a local auto electric shop who buys, converts and sells($50) the one-wire with a lifetime warranty. Will build to suit. Just run the cable from the post on the back of the alternator over to solenoid and that's it. Takes the voltage regulator out of the picture. Anyone more knowledgeable on this please correct me if I'm wrong, having not personally done this. Joe
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
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From: SE PA
Alternator upgrade
If your looking at the PowerMaster, then yeah, I've had one for a couple of years now. This is on a 460 swap and only thing I had to do was obtain a 2" shorter belt. You will need to keep one wire from the the stock reg. if you have the light on the dash like I do. Don't think you need to do anything if you have the gauge. You also have the option of running an extra wire so the field is "hot" all the time. This may be needed if you have a very low idle rpm. I left the old wiring in place so if the need arises for a spare/replacement I can just plug the old one back in and be on my way.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx
Alternator upgrade
I was about to post the same question.
I would realy like the simplicity of a one wire altnernator. I wouldn't think it would be to hard to fabricate brackets, but I've never seen a GM alternator up close. I've seen these Tubes that you trim, to bolt the alternator to the head where there is a tapped hole, for chevy's, but they might be good for this.
This would make a good tech article.
Anybody, please help us out!
P.S. would different engines need different brakets? I got a 302.
I would realy like the simplicity of a one wire altnernator. I wouldn't think it would be to hard to fabricate brackets, but I've never seen a GM alternator up close. I've seen these Tubes that you trim, to bolt the alternator to the head where there is a tapped hole, for chevy's, but they might be good for this.
This would make a good tech article.
Anybody, please help us out!
P.S. would different engines need different brakets? I got a 302.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 1
From: Racine WI
Alternator upgrade
ford alternator wiring is so easy to troubleshoot I wouldnt dream of converting, You can buy one wire alternators that use fords rear terminal EVR case from summit, or have any auto electric shop rewind yours for high output and convert it to one wire for the price of the delco alt
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Alternator upgrade
Convert to a early model GM 85 amp alternator. I did this swap a couple of months ago and encountered no major problems. I also wrote a "how to" technical article that Ken has not published. I will e-mail you the article if you want it. It is to long to post here.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 211
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From: Houston, Tx
Alternator upgrade
William,
send it too me please. Make sure the Subject on the e-mail says somthing about Ford, cause I delete everything I don't recognize... Been getting a lot of junk e-mail.
send it too me please. Make sure the Subject on the e-mail says somthing about Ford, cause I delete everything I don't recognize... Been getting a lot of junk e-mail.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Albuquerque
Alternator upgrade
One thing to know about single wire alternators. As a general rule they do not charge very well at idle. For that matter neither does the stock Ford with seperate regulator. Also have seen the same thing with stock Ford alternator upgrade kits. Made the idle problem worse.
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