I asked this on the Ford Barn but not much success yet. Perhaps there is someone on here that has done it. I have an 8BA in a 2N Ford tractor. It has a 63A 10si Delco 1-wire alternator (high amps needed for an OT electric fan-no room for a mechanical fan). I'm in the process of putting the engine in an 8N tractor so while it is exposed and I have to rewire it anyway I thought about using a Ford 3G alternator instead of the Delco to be all Ford. I see that the mounting holes on a small case 3G are closer to 7" spacing instead of 6 5/8" but other than that I don't see why I couldn't do it. Anybody else put a Ford 3G alternator on a flathead instead of the Delco 10/12si? The 10si 1-wire Delco conversions are very commonplace on a lot of cars, tractors, and equipment. Because they are easy, available, and cheap. And I will say this, I am a hard core GM guy, but it has always bothered me a little that I had a GM alternator on a Ford. I don't know why, it just does. The alternator could be Ford I think. I have found that '91-96 Escorts used a small case 3G style alternator that is 75A output. I may try to find one and try it. Best I can tell the center part of the alternator is 5mm larger radius (so like 3/16"). I think the bracket will accommodate that. I would just have to slot the mounting holes and it should bolt up. I have a wide belt pulley for the Delco that I THINK will bolt onto a 3G. If not, those are out there. I know this is not traditional Flathead stuff, but I thought maybe there was a die-hard Ford guy (or gal) out there that needed an alternator for their application and would not have GM stuff on their Ford. Either way I am wiring it 3 wire this time because I don't like to have to rev it cold to make it start charging. Thanks!
It sounds like a lot of work and extra expense to just have a slight feel good moment. The one wire Delco 10SI came about to be able to put an alternator on Gas tractors and equipment that had mag ignition and diesel tractors an farm equipment that have no ignition. On either you had no way to easily set up an exciter wire to trigger the alternator. To run the Ford alternator or any Ford alternator as far as I know you will have to have an exciter wire on it. That is possible with the V8 as it will have to have a switched ignition system unless it has a mag. Unless you are hung up on internal regulator I'd look at going with an older Ford alternator like the one on my 77 F250 with the 300 six and it's external regulator. Those bolt on pretty much the same as the 10 SI and sure don't give much trouble from my experience. 70 Amp for the bigger one for that truck per Rock Auto
It is wired like a car with a regular ignition switch so exciter voltage is no problem. I would like to stay internal regulator if possible to have a cleaner looking install. I may have to just leave the GM alternator alone. I am going to wire it 3-wire with a light this time so it will start charging without having to rev it up. The photo is older but shows the alternator setup.
I can't help you with a Ford recommendation, but.....My slant 6 powered T has a Nippon Denso, 65 amp alternator hanging off the side of it, from a 1980 Toyota Corolla. Found a single groove pulley and self-exciting regulator for it on Ebay. Freshened and upgraded the assembly, and a local service shop stopped pulling at 80 amps when I had them test it. Been doing the job for 12 years now. There is also a physically smaller, 40-amp one available that can be found on estate tractors and forklifts.
That would be in the same boat as the Delco for him. He wants an alternator that the hard core Ford or else brigade instantly sees as Ford rather than keeping it simple and easy to deal with.
Look at the Ford Festiva alternators. We've installed quite a few of them in MGBs as a Delco replacement option. Same mounting, if you rotate the housing 1/3 turn (it'll make sense when you see it).
OK. The '90-93 Festiva alternator looks close/similar to a '91-96 Escort alternator. Appears to wire like a 3G. I'm going to check out the pick-a-part and see what I can get. Thanks!
Study the wiring hookup of any alternator you might consider before you go out and look for one. Find out if they require any signals from the computer on the car or what not as some nifty looking late model small alternators are not plug and play on other rigs with minimal hookup. The 93 Festiva alternators I found on Rock Auto are all 50 amp though.
3G do not require computer signals. I used one on a slightly OT '66 Mustang once and it worked great. It would work here except the large case 3G would require a new bracket for the flathead. I think I do need more than 50A though. The 63A Delco I have now is enough-but only barely-for a 2-speed electric fan. Guess I need to go junkyarding and see what I can find and make sure it's at least 65-70A.
Look up The Brillman Company. Call them on the phone and ask for Mr. Brillman. He is a genius when it comes to electrical systems. I used to restore International Harvester Tractors and used a small Nipondenso alternator on Farmall Cubs because it would fit under the hood. I bought it from Brillman Company.
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