Junkyard alternator PLEASE HELP!!!

[ninety15.0]

Well i need a quick cheap fix for my dead alternator problem. I gotta bring my car to the shop on sat to do a clutch install, but my alt. is dead. My question: are there any cars i could pick an alternator off of from a junkyard that would be pretty much plug and go? how bout the alt. from a 94-95 or from 96+???? I dont have the cash for a nice one right now, so i just need somethin cheap to get me til the summer when i got some $$! any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Nick

 

[thegabrielles]

Dont knwo about an alternator from a 94-95, but I have picked up several through the years as JY and never had a problem. Where are you located?

 

[ninety15.0]

In central massachusettes....there are a few different junkyards around up there, so i was wondering if any other ford vehicles had a powerful enough alt. that i could hook up fairly easily and cheaply to get me through till the summer. thanks for the help man.
-Nick

 

[trbkrb]

Run a query on www.car-part.com for your car and alternators from all the matching cars will show. You can certainly use a 94-95 or 96+ V6 alternator, but it will require modifying the bracket and the wiring.

 

[HISSIN50]

If you need a literal plug and play, another fox alt is the way to go.

If you dont mind doing a little work (an hour's worth and 20-30 bucks in parts) you can upgrade to a 94-95 stang alt (motor size doesnt matter). For other cars, search and/or see Monte Smith's alternator upgrade article.

Good luck.

 

[jrichker]

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

Use these sites for information on 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.

Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. If the fuse blows in the 4 gauge wire, the two 10 gauge wires will be overloaded to the point of catching fire and burning up the wiring harness.

The secondary power ground is between the back of the intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges. Any car that has a 3G alternator needs a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.

Electric fan = 3G alternator if you want long life & reliability from your car.
The electric fan saves some HP. The stock fan's parasitic drag runs from 7-12 HP depending on who you talk to. The electric fan uses about 1/2 HP of power from the electrical system.

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!

See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse @ $3.90 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=071-952

Fuseholder @ $5.80 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-630

4 gauge black wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-196

4 gauge red wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-194

4 gauge ring crimp terminals (package of 5) $3.25. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=095-584

Pre-fab 4 gauge cables with lugs already on the ends are available in most auto parts stores. Look for the starter switch to starter cables.