So next on the list is to ditch my generator for an alternator. I'm going to keep my Ford a Ford. The problem is I've always used a Delco three wire. I searched for a Ford write up on here but couldn't find one. Here's where Im at. I know what "BAT" is. I know that one goes to the + on the starter solenoid. Next is a post (marked STA) with a white wire. A post (marked AA) with a green wire. Then a pigtail with a red wire (marked CC) Finally a stud (marked BB) with a black wire. I assume this is a ground. So thats the alternator back. I believe this all set up correctly. I removed the old generator. I hooked the 8ga wire that was on the generator to the BAT post on the new alternator. That wire runs to the BAT post on the old voltage regulator. I also moved the the 8ga wire that was on the ARM tab to the BAT tab on the voltage regulator. So I have two 8ga wires on the voltage regulators BAT post. Then I connect the old white wire from the generator FLD to the red pigtail on the alternator. That wire runs over and is connected to the wire leading to the GEN dash light. If I turn the key with this setup I do not get a dash light. If I take the wire leading from the pigtail (old white wire) and the wire leading from the GEN dash light and connect them both on the FLD post of the voltage regulator I get a GEN dash light when I turn the key. But the light stays on when running. In both cases the engine will die if you remove the POS battery cable. So its obviously not making current. I was told to wire it this way if I wanted to keep the voltage regulator for appearance. I'm stumped, I followed the directions I was given and its real similar to a Chevy setup.
what kind of an alternator is that? why does it have that little aftermarket voltage regulator looking box thingy on the back of it? where did you get it? If I were going to put a Ford alternator in a Ford, I'd just get a normal Ford alternator from the mid 60s-mid 70s and get a matching regulator, and wire it up like it was in a car from that era.
I bought my '56 Ford with the same setup. I ran it for tens of thousands of miles until it took a shit on me. I then bought a bracket from Speedway http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Y-Block-Ford-Alternator-Brackets,27862.html and someone gave me a new GM 1 wire. I was so worried as I have never done wiring before. I had everything done in an hour or two. It is sooooo simple to hook up. The Ford one was so cluster fucked and confusing.
The rebuilder that does our stuff for the store does not like the Ford 1 wire conversions. He says that the Ford alternator is not as easy to set up as the GM is. Something about clearences not as close in the Fords. For that reason I am just going to use a regulator on my 63 when I dump the generator.
Local alternator shop made it for me. He was the one who gave me the directions I followed. I'm baffled. I shoulda just used a delco. More tomorrow . . .
Are the directions on a piece of paper? maybe you could scan or photograph the paper and let us see what it says? My guess is that the CC wire is supposed to be connected to the battery, and you don't connect anything else to the alternator itself...but that's just a guess. I could be wrong. Without those instructions, we'll never know.
I had one of thoses regulartor on back of alt was over charging.I got new alt and used a 4 wire regultor,3 wires go to regultor,and the 4th goes to ign switch,I used the pos terminal on ign coil. You need ground from alt to base of reg.Worked for me. I guess its 12 volts neg ground.
Figured it out this afternoon. The switched side wire to the lamp was almost severed under the dash. When the light wouldn't respond the same way twice I started tracing wires and found it. I had it hooked up right but with that wire lose it wouldn't start the alternator charging. Thanks for the input from all though!
For anyone that might be interested, National Parts Depot sells this same alternator bracket (P/N F10151-1) for $54.95. Its used on the Y-block engine with a Delco alternator. Its in their 1948-79 Ford truck catalog.
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