ok guys need some more help on this 73...am wanting to get rid of the voltage regulator to clean up the engine compartment..i know there is a one wire alt conversion but cant find it...looked on technical but it has escaped me...has anyone done the conversion, or have info on the how to? appriciate all help given and as usual i look forward to the advice from fellow mavers.
buy a chevy alternator and bolt it on and go. it's you're best bang for the buck when it comes to this conversion. if you have the extra time and money, look around the boneyards for a 3G Ford alternator which is basicly a 1 wire setup and produces 130 amps
Link don't work. I've been running the Chevy alternator for about a year and a half now and love it. Just go to the auto parts store and tell them you want an alternator for a '78 Camaro with a 350..
With the chevy alt. you can get rid of the volt reg. ? Do you still use the same wiring thats on the old alt. ?
i think it just has one wire that goes to the battery..and thats all....but i have not done one yet so id ask one of the mav experts in this forum...i personally am glad they are here..
Interesting read Frank I was debating on if I should go with a 3G or I should go with a GM "1 wire" alternator, definitely give me something to think about.
I've run a one-wire for the last 10 years and it's worked good for me. The 3G is a one-wire with an additional sensor wire that you remote sense any voltage drop. I originally used the GM one-wire back before they came out with Ford-specific models. I had to slightly enlarge the top bolt hole, grind a little off of the slotted bracket and use a longer spacer for the top bolt. Summit and others now sell Ford-specific models that bolt right up.
I bought one off eBay a couple years ago. It's made by Tuff Stuff. It was like $99.00. Here's a link to their website but you can probably get it on eBay cheaper. This is a direct bolt on with no mods (except eliminating all the extra wires and reg) http://www.tuffstuffperformance.com/products/part.asp?partid=140
Here's one on eBay right now, a little higher though: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1961...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
I been running the Summit (G2) one wire alternator for 5 years on my Falcon. I now have one on my Maverick. The only draw back is no idiot light and you need a volt meter to monitor the charging system. The Summit 1-wire is really only one wire. GM 1-wire is actually 3 wires. To me...Mad Electric is selling GM wiring kit so they are going to paint a pretty picture on reasons you need their kit. Notice how they keep saying "Maybe", "Sometimes", "Could be".
My ALT idiot light still works. I just had to drill out the bottom (non threaded) mounting hole for the larger Ford bolt to fit though, and make a 1 inch spacer. Other then that, it bolted right on my 200 I6. Just be very careful when you drill out that hole. It has to be perfectly straight. If it's even just a little crooked, the fan belt will slip constantly. I used a vertical end mill at the fabrication shop I work part time at to bore the hole out on mine, but you can do it with a regular drill if you're careful.
