Best alternator option
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Best alternator option
What is the best alternator to use when considering reliability, parts availability, cost, and ease of installation?
My ammeter blew, so I thought it would be a good time for the upgrade and delete the ammeter.
I read through the tech section and previous posts, but could not determine what the best alternative is...
BTW, I have a U20 block on a R16 head in a '67 1600.
Best,
Erik
My ammeter blew, so I thought it would be a good time for the upgrade and delete the ammeter.
I read through the tech section and previous posts, but could not determine what the best alternative is...
BTW, I have a U20 block on a R16 head in a '67 1600.
Best,
Erik
- tjp
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Re: Best alternator option
look in the tech wiki section under electrical.
wiki is your friend.
wiki is your friend.
My junk pile:
71 Jeep Gladiator. Restored w/#s matching engine. My WeeBeasty
70 1600 legit 2nd owner. Stroked and bored
Several salvaged w access to a barn full of parts, part cars & whole cars
......What's in the barn is for sale. What do you need?
71 Jeep Gladiator. Restored w/#s matching engine. My WeeBeasty
70 1600 legit 2nd owner. Stroked and bored
Several salvaged w access to a barn full of parts, part cars & whole cars
......What's in the barn is for sale. What do you need?
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Re: Best alternator option
So, is the GM option the only one pursuing?
- sports imports
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Re: Best alternator option
Erik:
U blocks and R head parts for the are not interchangeable. U blocks have OHC heads and R heads are OHV.
Ross
sports imports
U blocks and R head parts for the are not interchangeable. U blocks have OHC heads and R heads are OHV.
Ross
sports imports
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Re: Best alternator option
My bad.
It was a U20 crank in a R16 engine.
It was a U20 crank in a R16 engine.
- Gregs672000
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Re: Best alternator option
I think there are a few Nissan or Japaneese options out there, but I went GM one wire simply for low cost (chrome for $65), internally regulated and self exciting, plenty of power, was recently fixed by a local shop for cheap, easy to install for me (67 2000, alt on the passenger side). What are you going to do for your amp gauge? Be sure to put a 30amp fuse in the line (usually white, main wire, only one hooked up for the GM one wire set up) coming off the alt, that will save your amp gauge in the future.
My install was pretty much "bolts right up", maybe some minor shimming to get the belt to run true. Not sure on other years and mounts, especially any that are post '67.
My install was pretty much "bolts right up", maybe some minor shimming to get the belt to run true. Not sure on other years and mounts, especially any that are post '67.
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
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Re: Best alternator option
Greg,
Thank you! Great insights. Since the ammeter does not work anymore, I was planning on replacing it with a voltmeter. From what I understand, a voltmeter is more practical than having an ammeter. I will head out to the local auto parts store to cost everything out.
Erik
Thank you! Great insights. Since the ammeter does not work anymore, I was planning on replacing it with a voltmeter. From what I understand, a voltmeter is more practical than having an ammeter. I will head out to the local auto parts store to cost everything out.
Erik
- Gregs672000
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Re: Best alternator option
With my rewire this summer, we put in a digital volt meter, left the amp gauge in place but not hooked up. However, my wiring is not stock. Look into what needs to be done to make a volt meter work right. It may end up wired in somewhere else. The amp gauge wires need to be connected somehow as all the power seems to go through those wires, and you do not want them grounding. I AM NOT a wiring person... Curtis did my wiring for me (thank God!). Consult the wiring schematics and other gurus unless you know what you're doing!
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
- spyder
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Re: Best alternator option
Volt gauge. Been there, done that!
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15556" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15556" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Gregs672000
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Re: Best alternator option
What a resource this site is!!!spyder wrote:Volt gauge. Been there, done that!
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15556" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
- FergO2k
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Re: Best alternator option
I love the GM alt. kinda oversized for the engine bay, some picky types would say, but I love the reliability.
280ZX one is an opiotn a bit smaller. the SR20 upgrade guys go for SUbaru Justy or Kubota tractor (very small).
GM install was very easy. I added an aftermarket voltmeter, but when I tied in the stock wiring, the ammeter still works fine (didn't intend that, but ot fixing what ain't broke)
30 amp fuse in line so 55 amp alt doesn't fry is a must.
oh, and remember you have to charge a dead battery remotely, else the 55amp alt will try to charge it and keep tripping that 30 amp fuse after you jump start the car (Been there NEVER done that I swear)
280ZX one is an opiotn a bit smaller. the SR20 upgrade guys go for SUbaru Justy or Kubota tractor (very small).
GM install was very easy. I added an aftermarket voltmeter, but when I tied in the stock wiring, the ammeter still works fine (didn't intend that, but ot fixing what ain't broke)
30 amp fuse in line so 55 amp alt doesn't fry is a must.
oh, and remember you have to charge a dead battery remotely, else the 55amp alt will try to charge it and keep tripping that 30 amp fuse after you jump start the car (Been there NEVER done that I swear)
Fergus O
69 2L, SUs (driver, not susceptible to polish)
02 Tacoma 4 door (sold at 300k miles!)
2017 Honda Ridgeline (2021 purchase)
Los Alamitos, CA
69 2L, SUs (driver, not susceptible to polish)
02 Tacoma 4 door (sold at 300k miles!)
2017 Honda Ridgeline (2021 purchase)
Los Alamitos, CA
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Re: Best alternator option
Thanks guys!
GM it is! The swap looks straightforward. Hopefully this will get rid of all the issues.
GM it is! The swap looks straightforward. Hopefully this will get rid of all the issues.
- Copterpilot
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Re: Best alternator option
Greg,Gregs672000 wrote:I think there are a few Nissan or Japaneese options out there, but I went GM one wire simply for low cost (chrome for $65), internally regulated and self exciting, plenty of power, was recently fixed by a local shop for cheap, easy to install for me (67 2000, alt on the passenger side). What are you going to do for your amp gauge? Be sure to put a 30amp fuse in the line (usually white, main wire, only one hooked up for the GM one wire set up) coming off the alt, that will save your amp gauge in the future.
My install was pretty much "bolts right up", maybe some minor shimming to get the belt to run true. Not sure on other years and mounts, especially any that are post '67.
Where did you buy your GM alternator?
Brian
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Gray 2003 VW Jetta TDI
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2112 Toyota Highlander
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AS365 Dauphine
A109E Power
- Gregs672000
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Re: Best alternator option
Honestly, I think I got it local, but check summit etc to see what's around. It was several years ago.
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
- Solex68
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Re: Best alternator option
1981 Chevy Camero (305) Alternator bought at Pep Boys with a lifetime warranty !Copterpilot wrote: Where did you buy your GM alternator?
Brian
Greg II
Greg a.k.a SOLEX68 - http://www.datsunvents.com/
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68 2000
Always willing to help another Datsun Roadster owner
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Laguna Hills, CA
68 2000
Always willing to help another Datsun Roadster owner
Pending installs: All steering components, Stan Stealth Dizzy