Electrical Chevy Alternator Hook Up?

Momoftoo · Jan 10, 2017

Im trying to find out how to correctly install (wire) a chevy alternator in my 86 mustang. My cousin ran the red wire to the battery cable and taped up the white wire. I know this cant be right! Hoping someone can help me figure this out. Its drained my battery, bought a new one and its draining that too.

jrichker · Jan 11, 2017

You put a chevy alternator on a Ford and then complain that it sucked the life out of your battery?

Don't you know that chevy is car of choice for vampires?

Mustang5L5 · Jan 11, 2017

Need a little more info than "Chevy Alternator", and also why not just run the correct alternator?

Need to know of the alternator is internally regulated, or externally regulated, and figure out how that alternator is wired, and if it's even compatible.

Honestly, easier to just wire up a Ford 3G or 6G and call it a day and not worry about the car catching on fire.

Adieu · Jan 11, 2017

Coulda/shoulda/woulda bought a 1-wire if you want a GM alternator (that's what I run on my car, Chevy 1-wire).

Since you have a 3-wire, you've got extra steps.

1. Run 10 gauge wire from the positive post on the back of the alternator to the battery.
2. Run the red wire from the 2-wire pigtail to the post on the back of the alternator.
3. (the tricky part) Run the white wire from the 2-wire pigtail to an ignition hot wire, placing either a diode, a resistor, or wiring a light-bulb inline on the wire to provide some load so the alternator doesn't cause a run-on condition when the key is shut off. Without this wire, the alternator will not energize (as you've already found out).

falconater · Jan 12, 2017

3G Shoulda.

General karthief · Jan 12, 2017

Wait till he trys to put an ls cam in it

Adieu · Jan 12, 2017

falconater said:
3G Shoulda.

GM IS-family alternators kick the 3G's ass.

General karthief · Jan 12, 2017

74stang2togo said:
GM IS-family alternators kick the 3G's ass.

MMA or WWE?

Adieu · Jan 12, 2017

karthief said:
MMA or WWE?

Neither. Real-life.

The 3G is more complicated to wire for retrofit applications (outside of certain similar Ford applications), not available in as high output as the IS, and not as readily available (there isn't a parts store in the country that doesn't stock a 3-wire GM IS alternator, can't say that for the 3G anymore).

Throw in that the IS lasts pretty much forever, and you've got a winner.

I'm not a fanboi, a purist, or a concours snob. I use what works. My Chevy hot rods all have Ford starter solenoids, my old school Fords get GM 1-wire alternators.

broncojunkie · Jan 12, 2017

Don't those 1-wire alternators tend to overcharge?

Adieu · Jan 12, 2017

broncojunkie said:
Don't those 1-wire alternators tend to overcharge?

Never seen/heard that and never happened to me.

General karthief · Jan 12, 2017

74stang2togo said:
Neither. Real-life.

The 3G is more complicated to wire for retrofit applications (outside of certain similar Ford applications), not available in as high output as the IS, and not as readily available (there isn't a parts store in the country that doesn't stock a 3-wire GM IS alternator, can't say that for the 3G anymore).

Throw in that the IS lasts pretty much forever, and you've got a winner.

I'm not a fanboi, a purist, or a concours snob. I use what works. My Chevy hot rods all have Ford starter solenoids, my old school Fords get GM 1-wire alternators.

i'm all for what works, used to have a rambler, they used all different stuff, it was a pain. I year gm this, next year motorcraft that.
A hand crank generator was better than the fox alternator.

Electrical Chevy Alternator Hook Up?

Momoftoo

New Member

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

falconater

Active Member

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

broncojunkie

Active Member

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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Electrical Chevy Alternator Hook Up?

New Member

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That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

Active Member

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

Active Member

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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