Alternators instead of generators!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Upper Left Coast
Alternators instead of generators!
Howdy all!
I'm going to put an alternator in my truck when I put the rebuilt 292 in.
Does anyone have suggestions as to which one is easiest to install?
I'm expecting to have to fabricate my own mounts of course.
I'll use a single wire type alt with an internal regulator capable of at least 80-100 A.
I already have a Bosch unit from a VW car that might be ok but I'd like to use something that is sort of generic.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Rick
I'm going to put an alternator in my truck when I put the rebuilt 292 in.
Does anyone have suggestions as to which one is easiest to install?
I'm expecting to have to fabricate my own mounts of course.
I'll use a single wire type alt with an internal regulator capable of at least 80-100 A.
I already have a Bosch unit from a VW car that might be ok but I'd like to use something that is sort of generic.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Rick
Last edited by HT32BSX115; Oct 16, 2006 at 11:19 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
That Bosch VeeWee unit is the most unreliable POS on earth IMHO. They cost $300 rebuilt!! Sell it to some poor soul with a dead VW, it will pay for a GM 1-wire and mount. I can't believe you can't just buy a ready-made mount for a Y-block?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Greenville, SC
This is what we did on our 292. http://www.ranchwagon.com/tech/alt/alt.htm
We have a 1-wire (self exciter) alternator we bought at Advanceauto. If I remember correctly, it was about $60 for an 80 amp.
good luck
We have a 1-wire (self exciter) alternator we bought at Advanceauto. If I remember correctly, it was about $60 for an 80 amp.
good luck
Last edited by Walston; Oct 17, 2006 at 05:08 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
The GM alternator is probably the closest thing to a "generic" as you can get. The one-wire is the easiest to hook up. I used a 3-wire only because I already had one from an 86 Buick I salvaged. The extra two wires are not a big deal either if you decide on a used one. 
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Logistics Pro
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From: Upper Left Coast
When you say "3 Wire" you mean a unit that will require an outboard regulator?
I will want one with the voltage regulator inside I think.....
I suppose I could build a simple regulator. And that might be good since I could design it for current fold-back and better filtering etc.
The ARRL Radio Amateurs Handbook has an excellent VERY simple and reliable solid state regulator for Alternators that shold cost no more than $15 or so to build.
Thanks!
Rick
I will want one with the voltage regulator inside I think.....
I suppose I could build a simple regulator. And that might be good since I could design it for current fold-back and better filtering etc.
The ARRL Radio Amateurs Handbook has an excellent VERY simple and reliable solid state regulator for Alternators that shold cost no more than $15 or so to build.
Thanks!
Rick
Originally Posted by GreatNorthWoods
The GM alternator is probably the closest thing to a "generic" as you can get. The one-wire is the easiest to hook up. I used a 3-wire only because I already had one from an 86 Buick I salvaged. The extra two wires are not a big deal either if you decide on a used one.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Bend, Oregon
GMsingle wire is the way to go, remember if your changing from 6v to 12v change your bulbs and add resisters to your heater,wipers and lights
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Upper Left Coast
Not a problem here....someone changed this thing to 12v sometime back when I was in high school!
GM alternators.........hmmm......YOu know it seems that AC Delco alternators have been used for years on Fords with no ill effects.....just like Motorola, Prestolite, and....... $%^&....... Bosch!
Man! I think I have an Autoliite on My Suburban!
GM alternators.........hmmm......YOu know it seems that AC Delco alternators have been used for years on Fords with no ill effects.....just like Motorola, Prestolite, and....... $%^&....... Bosch!
Man! I think I have an Autoliite on My Suburban!
New User
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Just cause I have no clue, why would you put a GM wiring harness and a GM alternator on a Ford??? What would be the difficulty with, ummm, using a Ford product??? It seems to me that there must be something to be said for keeping my 56 equiped with Henry's finest...If a guy is willing to continue pulling a distributor cap to set dwell, why shouldn't he stay with a Ford electrical system??? Not trying to be sarcastic. I really don't know.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Upper Left Coast
Well,
The GM ALT we are talking about only requires 1 (one) wire to hook up.
there is no harness.
The GM ALT we are talking about only requires 1 (one) wire to hook up.
there is no harness.
Originally Posted by Geoles
Just cause I have no clue, why would you put a GM wiring harness and a GM alternator on a Ford??? What would be the difficulty with, ummm, using a Ford product??? It seems to me that there must be something to be said for keeping my 56 equiped with Henry's finest...If a guy is willing to continue pulling a distributor cap to set dwell, why shouldn't he stay with a Ford electrical system??? Not trying to be sarcastic. I really don't know.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Originally Posted by Geoles
Just cause I have no clue, why would you put a GM wiring harness and a GM alternator on a Ford??? What would be the difficulty with, ummm, using a Ford product??? It seems to me that there must be something to be said for keeping my 56 equiped with Henry's finest...If a guy is willing to continue pulling a distributor cap to set dwell, why shouldn't he stay with a Ford electrical system??? Not trying to be sarcastic. I really don't know.
Henry's "finest" (assume you mean a Ford/Autolite alternator, not a generator) is honestly just not as good as the GM 1-wire; there's nothing "wrong" with it, but neither is original, so given the choice, most people choose the better value.
No harness is needed with a 1-wire, just the one wire. To people trying to show off their engine, the cleaner look is a factor. The Ford alternators use 3 wires, and you have to mount the regulator somewhere nearby. The regulator costs another $20 or so, too.
Most people aren't pulling their cap to set dwell, they are using an electronic distributor. Again using superior parts.
Mind you, I'm not one to torch frames for IFS/IRS or T-5's or other Dark Side stuff, but the electrical system is the heart of any vehicle, and it took me all of a week of screwing around with the 6v generator system to come to the conclusion that an alternator was the way to go. And I'm working on a MoPar electronic distributor for my flathead.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: SoCal
Well, this is something every ford purist hates to admit, but for money and parts availability, a SBC can't be beat. I know that everyone always says "oh I am so sick of 350's in every car I see!" But don't you think there is a reason every car has a 350 under the hood? Of course, the cooties stuff I was saying is my normal poor sense of humor, but when you think about it, why not put a SBC in your truck if you are swapping around Eng/Trans?
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Logistics Pro
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From: Upper Left Coast
Well, I'm not going that far yet!
I just spent about $2k getting my 292 rebuilt, balanced, ported etc.
Down the road I'll put a 6BT in it but I intend to drive this thing a while with the 292!
I wanted an alternator because generators generally suck!
I just spent about $2k getting my 292 rebuilt, balanced, ported etc.
Down the road I'll put a 6BT in it but I intend to drive this thing a while with the 292!
I wanted an alternator because generators generally suck!