hey yall im having trouble finding a 3g alternator that will fit my stock braket. i have a 1994 f-150 xl 4.9l. im trying to upgrade my old 2g alternator. any advice would be much appreciated because im completely stuck right now.
-Pat

 

I looked up your alternator and it looks the same as my 90. The bracket on my 90, had another set of holes. The 3G bolted right up using those holes. Actually, I can't remember if it was one or two extra holes. Kind of think one. I just had to loosen the bolts and remove the pulley, to rotate half of the case so the connections were accessable. Be sure and fuse the new supply wire for the alternator.
I got the wire and alternator at a Upull yard for about $20. Lots to choose from.
Good luck Frank

 

Here is a site that I got mine from. http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=6

 

I was going to search/post this any way .But whats a good year to look at . I took some note on post while back .About allot of the 96 had the 3G or at least the wireing. What years r good to look at . Surly 1 of the 30+ truck I got to look at would have it..

Thanks

 

did you remember what kind of truck you pulled the 3g from. because i tried what you did and the alternator doesn't fit the hole by about a half inch away. so i think i need a different alternator

 

a good link about installing a 3 G alternator maybe it would help
http://www.fordfuelinjection.com/?p=75

 

Yep was good link. I looked at it. I'll have to do some searches to find good candidats for the parts. I like to do it the factory way . And its cheaper if have a truck to take parts from..

 

ok thanks.

 

The 3g doesen't have to be from a truck. Think mine was a Taurus. Just look at your 2g so you have in your head where the 2 mounting holes are, and look at your bracket. Measure the distance. I'm thinking it was like 8 inches, but might not be.
After you have that info, a casual stroll thru the yard should find one really quickly. I found several in 15 minutes. Then looked them over real well to get the cleanest looking one of the bunch. I was hoping for a rebuilt, but no joy.
2g has an external fan and 3g has an internal one. Check the plate on the back of the alternator. There were some 3g made with 90 amp output. You want the 130 amp.

I can't take credit for this list. Copied & saved it from the electrical forums weeks ago.


All of these Ford vehicles had the 130amp 3G

(1994-95) Ford Mustang 5.0L
(1994-00) Ford Mustang 3.8L
(1994-97) Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar 3.8L
(1990-95) Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable 3.8L
(1993-99) Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable 3.0L
(1995-98) Ford Windstar 3.8L & 3.0L
(1991-94) Lincoln Continental 3.8L
(1992-97) Ford F Series Pickup
(1992-96) Ford E Series Van

You can only use good judgment, and be a little picky about which car you collect it from. Spinning the alternator could point out noisy or failing bearings. A car with the hood present and down helps with possibility of weather damage. A high mileage car with a relatively new looking alternator could mean it has been replaced, and doesn't have a tremendous amount of miles on it. For an additional $10 my local yard gives a 30 day warranty. Be sure and take the plug and as much wire as you can get easily.
I took some pics this afternoon. I'll post them latter.
Good luck Frank

 

i really do appreciate it frank. thats exactly what i needed. And the pics will definently help as well.-Pat

 

Here is a pic of the 3G on a 1990 4.9.
The top mounting hole visible in the pic was an empty extra hole when the 2G was used. The 2G used the mounting hole to the right and lower. They both used the same lower mounting hole.
The distance between the two holes for the 2G was about 7 inches. The distance between the holes for the 3G is about 8 inches. The 3G's mounting ears are close to 12 and 6 oclock

The 3G pulley was larger, but I was able to use the stock belt. The idler had enough play to allow this.

I had to remove the pulley, take out the case bolts, and rotate the lower 1/2 of the alternator case 90 deg to move the connections and make them accessible.
There is one real easy way to remove the pulley. Use a leather glove to hold the pulley while you use an impact wrench on the nut. There are a lot of hard ways to try and take it off, but I didn't find one that worked.
I used the stock wire from the 3G and soldered and crimp ring terminals on the ends to connect to a fuse block and then on to the solenoid.
Let me know if you need more info or pics.
Good Luck Frank

 

Thats exactly what mine looks like. This picture helps 100 percent. my final question is could you post a picture of how is wired up. I think i can picture how you said you did it, but just wanna make sure. Thanks for your time.
-Pat

 

Not sure these pics will help much. Kind of hard to get a decent pic of the wiring, but here they are.

 

Thanks frank thats exactly what i needed. Im going to try and install it in the next couple of days, ill let you know how it goes. Merry Christmas
-Pat

 

Yo Pat
You are welcome. Hope everything goes ok. I used big ring crimp on terminals from a auto stero shop, but I also soldered them. Going to occassionaly pump some big amperage thru the wires, don't need a corroded connection making lots of resistance and heat.
Frank