Alternator charge issue

[Bob H.]

Hi everyone.

I am looking at a 67 restomod with a newer style alternator. I noticed the factory gauge showed a slight discharge after I started it. The owner said it wasn't idling fast enough which was not the case. As you rev up the engine you can see the gauge jump to a normal charge until you drop back under about 1600 rpm's then it kicks off into the discharge. I guess this has a built in regulator that just isn't kicking in all the time. Do you think this is just an issue within the alternator or something more sinister? I know age does not matter but it has about 2k on the car since built. It's a nice pretty chrome unit but I would rather it work !!.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Alternator charge issue

What they call a one wire alternator. It acts that way.

[Jim D.]

Re: Alternator charge issue

What they call a one wire alternator. It acts that way.

Yup. They are nothing but a source of charging problems.

[Bob H.]

Re: Alternator charge issue

Assuming the gauge is then accurate, can it be changed to an external regulator?

[Domenic T.]

Re: Alternator charge issue

Bob,
Go back to the original with the external regulator. Then you don't have to replace the alternator if the regulator go's out.

If you are looking for more amps from a 37 amp alt then put the guts of a higher output alt.

I put 55 amp rotor and stator in mine.

DOM