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alternator conversion

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will54

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I have a '64 c-10 with an alternator that has an external regulator. I want a more powerful alternator (ie. 75 or 80 amps.) I want one the same size as the one I have now (so I won't have to change my bracket), but with an internal regulator. I have a '67(I believe) 327 small block. What year alternator (and for what make of vehicle) can I get that will replace my alternator? Also, the wiring will have to be altered a bit to make up for the internal regulator. Anyone know how to wire it? Thanks! :)
 
The easiest & best way to go is just go down to your local Alternator shop and ask for a one-wire alternator for a chev. They will know what you need, we did this on both our 66 and 67 six bangers and they bolt right on. They may need to use your pulley though.

Then all you need is one wire going to the battery from the alternator terminal (at least 10 gauge). That's it.

Be aware that when you start your engine, the one wire won't start charging until it gets up to a certain RPM so if you just rev it a bit they kick in.

Bruce
 
[updated:LAST EDITED ON May-10-02 AT 02:56 PM (CST)]I did the wiring the way bwiley did his when I first installed my 1 wire and it worked OK. Last month I got the 1 wire harness conversion from our hosts here at Chevy Duty. Much better ! Cleaner installation and guages and lights seem to work better too. I purchased a chrome 100 amp one wire alt off e-bay auction. I think it was around $85.
 
What is the difference using the kit? Bigger wire or what else?

One thing that I don't understand is that alternator shops, etc. will use 10 gauge wire for wiring an alternator to the battery and I'm guilty of that myself.

10 gauge wire is only rated for a maximum of 30 amps (referred to as rated maximum ampacity)

Given an alternator output of 100 amps as yours is rated at, the minimum size wire should be 2 gauge (115 amps rated Ampacity, pretty big stuff.

Our home and office here are all solar powered so I mess with high amp DC quite a bit. Our 110VAC inverter pulls 100 amps max at 12VDC and I have that wired with 1/0 welding cable for a 5 ft run to keep the voltage loss down to an acceptable limit.

Planning on redoing my alternators with some bigger stuff!

Bruce
 
The kit provides a pigtail that plugs all connections up to where they were originally. It also has a cap plug for the old voltage regulator harness. It's cleaner appearing, ( no wire running from left to right under the radaiator support), to me.
Plus, the alt is now powering the accessories directly instead of having them draw power from a battery that the alt is charging.

My alt guage now reads normal instead of charging all the time, plus the lights don't dim at idle anymore.
 
thanks to all for your help. got my original alt. working well, but I'll probably go to an interally regulated alt. as soon as I feel like dishing out the cash for a good one.;)
 
i did this to my 62 gmc with the V6 and a generator. two years and no problem. all i had to do was get the alternator bracket off a newer V6(i think a 65) and trim it just a bit. hope this helps the gmc guys.
 
dude, it's easy. i got a 63' which had the external regulator which was wimpy. i went and got a rebuilt internally regulated one for $45 and ripped the external regulator junk out. it puts out the 14.4V with no problem. as for high amp alternators, i don't know other than you shouldn't really need it and you pay out the ass for them. anyway, hook up is 2 wires, power and GND, and then the hot wire going to the starter. well take care,
Lloyd
 
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