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alternator problem

65moneypit440

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I transplanted an LA 318 from an '87 Ram pickup into my '65 Coronet, including the internally regulated alternator. Running with the original voltage regulator in place, the guage shows slight discharge. With that regulator bypassed, the guage needle ran up half-way to maximum charge and the alternator got real hot after about 5 minutes running, as if current was running to it from the fully-charged battery. Haven't had the alternator checked out yet--don't want to remove unless I have to. Give it to me straight, I don't care if I feel like a dummy--electricals are not my thing. thanks in advance
 
If you still have it I would use the original alt. and the original voltage reg. You can not run two regulators. Maybe someone on here knows how to make the newer style alt. work on an older system. (Like the newer Hemi install thread)
 
All you need to do in order to use the isolated field alternators (two insulated brushes) is to ground EITHER of one of the brushes, and hook your old green regulator wire to the remaining brush.

You can simply make up a short pigtail with a push-on connector on one end, ring on the other, and put under a case screw, or carefully examine the brush holders. One of them may be easier. It will have a fiber washer under the screw to insulate from the brush. One one of the brush holders, you can remove the fiber washer, and by careful selection of a metal washer, allow the mounting screw to ground the brush.

You can also use the later regulator, which is better if your old one is the old "mechanical" type, by adding ONE wire

In the diagram below, if you get the proper connector for the regulator, either cut it out of a later vehicle or I believe you can buy 'em from NAPA, hook the connector to the original regulator wires. The original green hooks to the "side" terminal as shown, and the original IGN terminal (the push on connector) hooks to the "top" terminal of the new connector.

While you are hooking that wire up to the (dark blue) splice in a new wire and run it down to the alternator and install a push on connector. Hook the original green up to either brush, (field) and the new wire up to the other one.

Dual_Field_Alternator_Wiring.jpg
 
Thanks for the input everybody, I'll have the original alt checked out and swap it in. Otherwise, its running great and took its first trip around the block under its own power.
 
Yep no interally reg alt back then. Ron
 
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