Alternator Wiring

Hey guys, I am helping my brother with a 351w conversion into a '93 4 cyl. We are using the stock wiring for the alternator and as it turns out, the alternator on the 4 banger is on the driver's side and the alternator for the V8 is on the passenger side. Hence, a need to extend the wires for the Alternator and re-route them.

So, like an idiot, I cut the cable for the alternator plugs without first noticing that there are two identical wires (black w/orange stripes) on the main plug. I am asuming these are the load bearing wires, as they are a larger guage than the other three wires for the two plugs. I figured all the wires would be distinctly marked.

I have reviwed the wiring diagrams for the alternator and, for this plug, they only show one wire going into the alternator (black w/orange stripe). I need to know if it matters which way i splice these two wires back together (i.e. can it be a problem if when I reconnect them I end up crossing them from the original line). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Ken
 
If I'm understanding your post correctly...


It doesn't matter. Both terminals are supply power and only branch off into different directions. Where they meet on the alternator is basically just the "splice". The connection point where battery power is ultimately routed to the starter.
 
If I'm understanding your post correctly...


It doesn't matter. Both terminals are supply power and only branch off into different directions. Where they meet on the alternator is basically just the "splice". The connection point where battery power is ultimately routed to the starter.

Ok so basically both black wires carry DC voltage and neither acts as a ground. That's what i was concerned about, that one of them was a ground and the other was the positive and that I may have crossed them when i spliced them back together. Thanks!
 
Correct... the ground is that large strap that goes from your battery terminal to the body/block and/or from the body to the block. The primary ground for the alt is the hardware that bolts it in place. The other wires (I don't have a diagram infront of me) are the sensing wire for the EEC and the field wire for the internal regulator.


Oops Nope: The 3rd wire in that harnes is the charge wire. The other wire(s) are in the other harness.