Getting a Bigger alternator from junkyard,which one to get???

[Jay5_o]

Im going to be installing a taurus electric fan in my 87 mustang, but with under drive pullies and the factory 70amp alternator isnt just going to cut it.
What alternator will bolt right in and be over 100 amps from the junk yard?

 

[2000xp8]

94+ mustang, it's a tad bit more than bolt right in, but not much. Search around the internet there's plenty of detailed directions on how to do it. Took me longer to go get the bolt for the top hole than it did to do the install.

 

[Jay5_o]

would a 85 amp alternator be suffecient to run an electric fan with u/d pullies ?

 

[jrichker]

Electric fan = 3G alternator if you want long life & reliablity from your car.

Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

Here's websites with pictures of the 3G installation...

See http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte/Auto/3G_130A_Alternator_Upgrade.htm - all the tech data you could ever want to know
OR
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/alternator.html - excellent pictures of installation

For the right way to do the wiring. Some people will tell you that you can skip the wiring upgrade, but it will catch up with you sooner or later. A fire in the wiring harness is ugly and expensive.

 

[Jay5_o]

How many amps does an electric fan draw?

 

[jrichker]

Electric fan= 30 amps, up to 50-100 amps startup surge.

The DCControl fan controller would at least ease the starting surge, but without a 3G, you are still left with an electrical system that is underpowered when everything is on. See http://www.dccontrol.com for more info

 

[BlackFox5.0]

A friend of mine got one off a 2000 V6, and when we went to put his 87-93 underdrive pulley on it, it wouldn't fit because ford changed the design of the alt.

I got mine for a '94 GT at the parts store, and my underdrive fit on it just fine, I just needed to put one washer on it as it sat a little too deep, but works perfect otherwise....just so you know incase you want to change the pulley....

 

[redterror302]

Just wondering, what vehicles come with a 3g alt that can swap into a fox? What year/make/model are they? I am going to the junkyard soon, and will most likely not be able to find a 94-up mustang there, so what other alternatives do I have?

 

[BlackFox5.0]

I think Taurus's have the 3g. It may look the same, but i don't know exactly how many amps it puts out. Try calling autozone or something, and tell them you need one for a '90's Taurus, I think the 3.8 has the 3g, not sure about the 3.0L. Ask what amperage it is.

 

[redterror302]

I know I can use an alternator from some years of the taurus, but I don't know which ones. Everyone says to use a taurus alternator, but nobody gives me specific years. Anybody know?

 

[BlackFox5.0]

Call a parts tore and find out which one has the right amperage.