[VetteVet]

You guys are talking about three different alternators Here. The stock externally regulated alternator, the newer internally regulated alternator and the one wire. The stock alternator is a lower output and not sufficient for the newer accessories available. I. E. large amps, cooling fans. In 1973 I think GM converted to the internally regulated 10 SI type which is higher output at idle and above. It is very easy to convert the older type by moving just a couple of wires. In fact you can just jumper the wires in the plug to the external voltage regulator. Then you can remove the external VR and clean up the engine bay a little.

The one-wire is very simple. You just unbolt the stock alternator and bolt on the one-wire then hook up the large wire to the back of it, unplug the external VR and you're done. It has it's drawbacks though. If you have a charging light then it will no longer work and you may have to rev the engine at first to get the alternator to charge.

If you go to the electrical forum and type " alternator conversion" in the search box, you will get numerous threads about the subject.