351W Alternator
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Unless you have A/C and power windows I'd say 80 Amps is plenty. The one-wires are okay with less wiring involved but cost more and not as available. The 3-wires can be had for much less money but require more wiring and available at any parts house. If yours is already set up with a 3-wire I'd keep it. 
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Jun 25, 2007 at 03:15 PM.
Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Onalaska, Wisconsin
GNW has a point. Unless you plan on running a bunch of tech-no **** 80 amps is more than plenty. Im a very simple kinda guy and in my opinion id spend the extra $$$ to find a 1-wire.....But like everything else, its your truck, your decision...
Austin
Austin
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Everett, Washington
I used a GM 1 wire on my 302 and just had to add a spacer on the main pivot bolt. That was the only difference tween the GM and FORD versions. 'bout a 1" or so spacer.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
What's wrong with a Ford alternator??? The GM is used on flatheads and Y-blocks only because there isn't any Ford alternator that came stock on them, so everything is going to be "custom". Why go to anything but the OEM piece, that you could have installed in 15 minutes??
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
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From: S.W. Florida
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
What's wrong with a Ford alternator??? The GM is used on flatheads and Y-blocks only because there isn't any Ford alternator that came stock on them, so everything is going to be "custom". Why go to anything but the OEM piece, that you could have installed in 15 minutes??
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,591
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
What's wrong with a Ford alternator??? The GM is used on flatheads and Y-blocks only because there isn't any Ford alternator that came stock on them, so everything is going to be "custom". Why go to anything but the OEM piece, that you could have installed in 15 minutes??
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Watch out for the size of an 80 amp alternator over the usual 45, 55 and 65 amp alternators Ford used beginning in 1965. Some of the 80 amp alternators are much larger in diameter and require special brackets. The brackets that Ford used for the other less amperage alternators are pretty much universal.
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