help installing a new voltage regulator

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 8, 2009 | 01:18 AM

2pazr

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

help installing a new voltage regulator

im changing out the old voltage regulator with an electronic one with 1 a s f plugs what goes to what plug?? its going in my 60 f100 . also will it be bettter if i upgraded the 12v gen to 12 v alt if so any good convertion tips?

Feb 8, 2009 | 01:40 AM

angus

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 1,236

Likes: 2

From: Vancouver Island

I'm pretty sure you can't replace a generator regulator with an alternator one.

I went with an alternator after having three problems with generators... undercharging, overcharging, and a bearing failure. The hardest part of the alternator upgrade is mounting it; I used a 61 amp Ford alternator and welded up an F-shaped bracket that used the same holes as the generator bracket for the 223.

1960 Falcon page has some helpful diagrams, like gen2alt.jpg

Feb 8, 2009 | 10:57 AM

Julies Cool F1

Post Fiend

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,641

Likes: 21

From: Poway, Ca.

Angus is right about intermixing generators and alternator regulators.

Probably the cleanest, most reliable, and frankly easiest thing to do, would be to buy a 12 volt, one wire alternator. These are fashioned after the GM alternators, or came on later model fords. The regulators are built right into the unit and get rid of that external regulator AND all the wiring!

If I were at this stage with my charging system, that is what I would do - you'll never have to touch it again.

I got mine for my 51 w/390-C6 at "Tuff Stuff." Seems to me it was about $125. But that was a couple years ago.

Here is the link for them:

Products :: Tuff Stuff Performance

Good luck,
Julie

Feb 9, 2009 | 01:22 PM

2pazr

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

so what i should do is get a new alternator and it has the regululator for votage built in, so does that means i dont need to install the electronic volt regulator?

Feb 9, 2009 | 05:44 PM

flatheadjohn

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 277

Likes: 1

From: Sacramento, California

With an alternator with a built in regulator you won't need any regulator at all.You can go with a GM one wire which is the easiest and cheapest way to go. One can be had for about $80 at your local parts house but you'll have to go to a real parts house to find one as the fast auto parts stores wouldn't know what you were talking about.

Feb 9, 2009 | 07:57 PM

2pazr

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

I think im gunna go with the gm one my next question is one wire does this mean i just plug one wire to the back and then one on the poistiive of the battery what do i do with the other wires that are running to the votage regulator ie ignition just leave the regulator and cut back the wires?

Feb 9, 2009 | 08:33 PM

Julies Cool F1

Post Fiend

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,641

Likes: 21

From: Poway, Ca.

There are a number of EXCELLENT threads with step by step conversion instructions here at FTE.

Just go to the upper right corner of th emain page for this forum, and you will see a "Search this Forum" box. Type "GM Alternator Conversion" and there will be tons of threads. I know htere was one about three weeks ago where another member placed a link in it to a really good write up - step by step. So if you list the threads by date (upper left corner of the search results page), look for a thread that was posted sometime in the last 2 months and look for that link in it.

Search function seems to be down at teh moment otherwise I'd pull it for you.