generator not charging
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
One day my truck wouldn't start, because the battery was completely dead. I charged the battery and let it sit. A day later I tested it and found it wasn't the battery. Therefore, I then suspected the generator. I pulled it out and took it over to my local AdvanceAuto where they have a test station for starter motors and gen/alternators. Hooked it up, no juice. Bought a new 65 amp alternator right there and proceeded to install it in the truck. I then realized that the regulator I had wasn't correct, so I went back to the store and decided I could make do with a '65 F100 voltage regulator; they didn't have one for '64. I mounted it on the inner fender and figured out all the wiring. Patience was KEY here for proper installation; take your time to figure out how to wire everything CORRECTLY. Once I had it all wired up, I fired it up, and after a couple days, it was charging my battery and starting better than before!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 4
From: Oregon
Matt2491:
I know this thread has been dead for a month, but I was wondering if you had any shots of the crankshaft pulley on your motor. I'm looking to do the exact conversion you have pictures up of, on a 390, but I'm not sure if the stock pulley will line up when I install the alternator.
I know this thread has been dead for a month, but I was wondering if you had any shots of the crankshaft pulley on your motor. I'm looking to do the exact conversion you have pictures up of, on a 390, but I'm not sure if the stock pulley will line up when I install the alternator.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
One day my truck wouldn't start, because the battery was completely dead. I charged the battery and let it sit. A day later I tested it and found it wasn't the battery. Therefore, I then suspected the generator. I pulled it out and took it over to my local AdvanceAuto where they have a test station for starter motors and gen/alternators. Hooked it up, no juice. Bought a new 65 amp alternator right there and proceeded to install it in the truck. I then realized that the regulator I had wasn't correct, so I went back to the store and decided I could make do with a '65 F100 voltage regulator; they didn't have one for '64. I mounted it on the inner fender and figured out all the wiring. Patience was KEY here for proper installation; take your time to figure out how to wire everything CORRECTLY. Once I had it all wired up, I fired it up, and after a couple days, it was charging my battery and starting better than before!
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
Hey Matt can you rotate your lower radiator hose worm gear clamp on the water pump away from the water pump pulley. I'd hate to hear that your truck died on you when the belt broke. The fan belts actually flare out when they are spinning pretty fast. Just a little worldly advise for one of those been there done that guys.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
Thanks for the tip airharley! That's what we're all here for. 
Well, I didn't buy them specifically from Reds Headers, but yes they are those headers you're talking about. As far as I know, some manufacturer somewhere makes these headers, but a whole bunch of distributors sell them...
Let me tell you, these headers are a huge improvement over the original setup... I think they also have shorty headers, in case you want to route your own exhaust wherever you like. The full-length headers above go under the crossmember supporting the bellhousing.
Here's a couple pics showing the headers and where they dump:
Well, I didn't buy them specifically from Reds Headers, but yes they are those headers you're talking about. As far as I know, some manufacturer somewhere makes these headers, but a whole bunch of distributors sell them...
Let me tell you, these headers are a huge improvement over the original setup... I think they also have shorty headers, in case you want to route your own exhaust wherever you like. The full-length headers above go under the crossmember supporting the bellhousing.
Here's a couple pics showing the headers and where they dump:
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
1963/64: The Thunderbirds only came with alternators.
The alternator regulators are the same from 1965 thru 1988, car & truck ('63/64 T-B).
The alternators are the same 1965 thru 1979 ('63/64 T-B).
There are several different amp alternators available. The cars use the exact same ones.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
So for the conversion i have to get a 65 voltage regulator instead of a 64?
also when i hooked my altenator up, my gen light on my gauge cluster stays on even when the key is not in the ignition, can someone tell me which wire this might be?
also when i hooked my altenator up, my gen light on my gauge cluster stays on even when the key is not in the ignition, can someone tell me which wire this might be?
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