Question about round back single field alternator

[1968_Satellite]

Hi,I just picked up a mopar round back single wire alternator. Its dated 1961 on the case and has the Forward Look logo cast into the back of the case. Its my understanding that these single wire round backs are all interchangeable from 61-69 and will work on all mopars of those years. Got it as a spare for a 68 Dodge. Just wanted to check first and see if there were differences electrically/ output wise. Supposedly it was rebuilt and its in an parts store box,but my guess is its used and have no way to test it..

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

Hi,I just picked up a mopar round back single wire alternator. It’s dated 1961 on the case and has the Forward Look logo cast into the back of the case. It’s my understanding that these single wire round backs are all interchangeable from 61-69 and will work on all mopars of those years. Got it as a spare for a 68 Dodge. Just wanted to check first and see if there were differences electrically or output wise. Supposedly it was rebuilt and its in an old parts store box,but my guess is its used and have no way to test i

Hi,I just picked up a mopar round back single wire alternator. Its dated 1961 on the case and has the Forward Look logo cast into the back of the case. Its my understanding that these single wire round backs are all interchangeable from 61-69 and will work on all mopars of those years. Got it as a spare for a 68 Dodge. Just wanted to check first and see if there were differences electrically or output wise. Supposedly it was rebuilt and its in an old parts store box,but my guess is its used and have no way to test it..

Take to AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts to have bench tested

 

[Don Frelier]

Take to AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts to have bench tested

Or install it.
Takes about 10 minutes.

 

[1968_Satellite]

Or install it.
Takes about 10 minutes.

I'll probably go that route and take the alternator off the car and put this one on to see if it works tomorrow. Nothing wrong with the one on it now. Just got this as a spare.

 

[Don Frelier]

I'll probably go that route and take the alternator off the car and put this one on to see if it works tomorrow. Nothing wrong with the one on it now. Just got this as a spare.

I'm sure you know but don't forget to disconnect the battery.
The charge wire is hot all the time.

 

[1968_Satellite]

I'm sure you know but don't forget to disconnect the battery.
The charge wire is hot all the time.

Yep. Anyone here ever buy the rebuild kit and rebuild one of these themselves? I saw a kit with the brushes and bearings on ebay for only $19.99. I know youd need a press to do the bearings. The local rebuilders are now charging about $130 to do one of these. Their quality control isnt so hot. I had a generator rebuilt by them year ago and they sent it back with a bad armature. Apparently they never tested that part before or after it left the shop.

 

[cosgig]

1961…..wow. I’ll bet it puts out 36 amps. Car wiring back then was so much more simple, and the amps on the early alternators was just enough to keep it running, albeit with flickering headlights. But the old stuff lasts a lot longer than rebuilds from the last few decades. Chances are it’s probably been rebuilt from a core and the case just happens to be early.

 

[1968_Satellite]

1961…..wow. I’ll bet it puts out 36 amps. Car wiring back then was so much more simple, and the amps on the early alternators was just enough to keep it running, albeit with flickering headlights. But the old stuff lasts a lot longer than rebuilds from the last few decades. Chances are it’s probably been rebuilt from a core and the case just happens to be early.

Yes,1961 was the first year of widespread use of the alternator on mopar vehicles.
No,I purchased it off the original owners son. His dad took it off a 1961 Chrysler New Yorker. He said his dad rebuilt it himself in the garage. It was stored away ancient parts store box from an ac compressor. The box was so old the sides crumbled when i went to pick it up. He said the car got hit in the side and destroyed months after his dad rebuilt the alternaror. His dad then pulled it off the car along with the ac stuff and it sat in boxes in his garage forever until he sold it to me.
How much did demands on an alternator change from 1961 to 1968. Not much. There weren't any heavier drawing electric items in 68 that cars didnt have in 61. Lots of mopars from that 57-61 era had ac,power windows etc,especially Chryslers,DeSotos and Imperials,but ive even see Plymouths with those options.

 

[1968_Satellite]

So I installed it on my 68 Dodge this morning to test it. Seems to work fine. Tested the voltage at the battery while running and it measures 13.12-14.25 at idle and under acceleration. Turns out the alternator that was on my car also has a forward look emblem and is dated 1963 on the top of the case. Lol
One thing I have noticed is that the needle does flicker with both alternators when the headlights are on and the engines revved,but it does stay in the "safe" area just shy of the center between the lines to the right.

 

[1968_Satellite]

Ive noticed too that the part store alternators seem to have always had their cases sandblasted and they are ugly and pitted and have the stamping worn away. This one is nice and smooth and clean. I have no idea why rebuilders ruin the cases doing that. Just leave them alone. Id rather get it back as it is.