Where does white wire go on GM "one-wire" alternator swap

I have a 63 amp GM "one-wire" alternator that I got reman from NAPA auto parts for $40. I threw out the old voltage regulator, used my stock alt as a core (which they accepted, even though it is a completely different alternator), and bought a $1.50 plug for the 2 flat electrical connections (so it is now a "three-wire" alternator).

I used the red 8 gauge wire that plugs to prong #2 and jumped it over to the hot 8 gauge post that goes to the battery (the real "one" wire). The second wire from prong #1 is a smaller white wire, that I have determined goes to the dashboard ALT light.

Does anyone know which of the two unused wires left over from the voltage regulator plugs is the one to the ALT light? One is white (white to white...maybe?) and the other is green with a red stripe. Both go into the same bundle of wires that the external voltage regulator harness used to plug into, and both end in a plug with nothing else attached.

Sure looks much better under the hood without all the extra clutter on the fender. I was very happy to throw away the external regulator and the wiring harness, and "almost" took a picture of it hanging out of my garbage can to put on my webpage.

I had to do some extra work, though, to make it fit. I drilled out the upper mounting bolt hole so the 7/16" stock bolt would fit in it. Then the mounting "tab" was about half the length of the stock one, so I drilled out and cut a deep 1/2" socket to 2-1/2" to use as a shiny chrome-vanadium spacer, rather than chunks of bolts, aluminum pipe, etc. as I have used in other parts of my car. Also, had to re-bend the oil dipstick tube just a touch to fit behind the larger alternator.

Other than that, bolted right up, works great, looks even better. I will post picture when Stefan gets the server going again and it will accept pictures.

 

hahah.. nice spacer...

something i might do.. but i went to ace hardware and bought 2 pieces of their 1" long rolled pin 1/2"diameter.. and then cut one in half..

 

looks good.

 

Thanks for the info i am doing the same swap on a mustang for the guy that bought my 302 from my mav.... nice spacer as well ...

 

looks good but why not a 100+amp one wire ...frank...

 

good choice, I did this on a 289 in my 49 F1 pickup. another option I saw recently is a voltage regulator that mounts right on the Ford alternator, Ive seen this in Mustang catalogues....one wire conversion
I havent tried it myself, but I intend to someday when the need arises.....

 

I wanted the 100 amp, but the car was inoperable for the past week after I cut some wires out of the external regulator wiring harness to run them back to the kill switch. There were so many wires in that harness that I didn't know which was which and didn't have the patience to figure it all out, since I knew I was trashing it anyway. So, I found the $40 temporary job that is a little more powerful than my stock, and gets me back on the road.

I will probably go up to 100 amp when I get to the point of installing a stereo/amp system, and need the extra power, but that will likely not be for another couple of years, and by then I will need a new alternator anyway.

But for the short term, that 63 amps should be plenty to keep my battery charged.

ST, I didn't know where I could find some rolled stock so just spent an extra $3 for the socket. Nice and shiny, and necks down just enough to line right up with the alternator mount.

Until I get some patience, I will let that idiot light wire just hang. There is a 50/50 chance of getting it hooked up to the right wire with one try, but I would have to disconnect the alternator while running to verify that I got the right one. And, right now, it is running fine, and I want to "leave well enough alone."

Unless someone can definitively tell me which plug to wire it into...

 

I have to unfortunately live by the 50/50 rule. if there is a 50 percent chance of getting it right, i will choose wrong 100 percent of the time. i think waiting to find out for sure is very wise on your part . good luck finding the info.

 

Just a little side note:
I was looking around my Summit catalog last night and saw Ford one wires under the 'dress up' section of all places.
They were powdercoated different colors, one wire, 100a, and just over 100 bux.
I know it's more than 40 bux, but just thought I throw it out if someone wanted a pure bolt in.
I am not big on all the different colors they have, but at least black is a choice.
Dave

 

I talked to a JEGS tech rep, and asked if the JEGS 100 amp one-wire was worth a crap, and he "srongly encouraged" me to go with the Tuff-Stuff version for a little more $$$. He said I would be happier in the long run if I got the name brand.

Just to add to ratio411's comment...

I guess you get what you pay for. I must really have a piece of $h!* for $40

But it runs well, and that is the main point for right now.

 

i dont see a pick there ratio

 

The link in the sig doesn't match up anymore since the server change.
If that is the only glitch from the move, we did awesome.
I revamped things a bit now. It was time for a change.

 

I don't offhand remember what the white wire is for...but the green with a red stripe is for the ALT light. That's the thing a lot of people don't realize about the "one wire" conversion...you lose the ALT light. I did the same thing, used a Delco alternator as a 3-wire instead and got to keep the ALT light in the process. Good thing I did too..it has saved me a couple of times, letting me know something went wrong way before the battery got drained..

 

Like I said, this was sold as a "one wire" but it had those two flat-contacts to make it, in essence, a three wire. It works without those other two, but you can hook the others up and get your ALT light back.

Glad to hear it is the green/red wire...I will hook that up today.

Thanks.

 

Ha! I love the spacer too. I just can't belive you didn't POR-15 it first!

I love your enthusiasm, Scott. Good luck with the alternator. Sounds like you'll be fine.