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Old May 30, 2009 | 09:39 AM
  #1  
codyingersoll123's Avatar
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wet alternator

Hey guys my 79 F150 dies everytime a tiny bit of water splashes on my alternator. I pulled the 2 slip on plugs off the back and filled them with dielectric grease and put them back on. the third wire is a bolt on (its a pos wire) I just left it the way it is. the rubber cover on that one is broken off. do you think thats what makes it die??? Also after I pulled off the 2 slip on plugs it didnt want to charge right. Anyone know how to seal the back of the alt so it doesnt stall everytime I hit a mud hole??? Also anyone know where to get a good higher amp alt for cheap??? My stock 60 amp doesnt do well pushing my electric fans and lights.
 
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Old May 30, 2009 | 11:10 AM
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I am thinking that the alternator is not causing the vehicle to die. Your truck should run on the battery if the alternator were to fail.
The alternator just maintians a charge for the battery after the battery has been tasked to start the vehicle.
Are you sure that the dizzy is not getting wet?
Try using a small spry bottle with water to isolate the problem down.
Some of my early engines that were not waterproofed too well would die at the sight of water. After a few techiques to keep water out, I can hit mud and juat about any water any time I want......
 
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Old May 30, 2009 | 08:13 PM
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I swapped a 100 amp alt off a 83 LTD onto mine. Just have to change the connector on the end of the two little wires to fit the new alt. (Off hand field and stator wire. I think) it will work with your current voltage regulator.
 
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Old May 30, 2009 | 08:23 PM
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yeah silicone your plug boots to the wires and silicone the wires to the cap and wires to the plugs cap to the dissy (all the ones i have done i left the factory vent on the cap alone and it worked fine) silicone the wire to the coil and basically silicone everything electronic dielectric grease works well too but i have had better luck with silicone till you have to take the stuff off
 
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Old May 31, 2009 | 02:57 PM
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3G alternator upgrades for me. many late model GM 1 wire alternators work well too.
Lots of amps, and easy as pie to wire.
 
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Old May 31, 2009 | 11:08 PM
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I don't think its your alternator killing it. Probably getting something else wet.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 06:56 AM
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Dist. sits at the front on a 351M? So I would go with your dist. being the problem first, you should have a round coil and it shouldn't be a problem, but, I would try covering it or swapping it out. If you have duraspark, I would check the wires and fill the connector holes.

Your 79 probably has the wires sitting on the driver's side intake manifold, I would see if the wiring is intact and not shorting out.

Is you battery secured? It might be bouncing around and the (+) is hitting something when badly jolted since it is on the fender side.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 09:59 AM
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sorry to bring up old subject...just getting back to workin on my 79 (been broke as a joke)

anyways it seems to be the alt...i turn off my elec fans and spray motor, plugs, and wires and runs fine but as soon as water splashes back side of alt its dies imediatly.

ALSO ... 75F350 U say 3g alt upgrade...from newer model GM...you done this before???what does it require....never worked on chebbys only ownd fords....maybe a link about 3g upgrade??

OH and by the way nice 350!!! -Edit
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 10:19 AM
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A G3 is from a newer ford, like mid 90s. OR a chevy alt. Easy to make into a one wire, and the can be easily bolted into a Ford.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2009 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by codyingersoll123
sorry to bring up old subject...just getting back to workin on my 79 (been broke as a joke)

anyways it seems to be the alt...i turn off my elec fans and spray motor, plugs, and wires and runs fine but as soon as water splashes back side of alt its dies imediatly.

ALSO ... 75F350 U say 3g alt upgrade...from newer model GM...you done this before???what does it require....never worked on chebbys only ownd fords....maybe a link about 3g upgrade??

OH and by the way nice 350!!! -Edit
Hey bud, if you search there is info on the 3g upgrade over on fullsizebronco.com. You need a megafuse on the hot wire, the alternator, and to put your vbelt style pulley on it depending on what you get it off of. Send me a PM and I can give you some more info.
 
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