alternator...grrr....

[Faster_than_you]

Hey y'all got a quick question,
o.k. my 71 has a 77 454, now I didnt set this motor up to be near a stock one. with msd, and hei distrubtion, I was wondering what size, amps that is, alternator I should be trying to run, because the alternator I took out of it today has lasted 7 years, not to sure what it was, but it lasted obviously. anyways, what size alternator should I be running to be on the safe side, pretty sure that having msd on it would change my "amperage intake" What yall think? What size alternator would I be trying to push?
thanks,
chris

[CHEVIBUBBA]

if you have an amp guage that displays actual numbers you can figure it out quick.should be 200 amp guage or close.
first & more importantly, check & clean all your electrical connections; grounds from frame to batt, frame to cab, etc.
a strong alternator will simply heat the poor connections leaving you with a puddle of plastic & low voltage.

now, wire the amp guage in line on the negative side near the FULLY charged battery.
turn on every electrical device on your truck.the w/s should be wet for the wipers.the ign. is already rated by the manufacturer so you can figure that in later.
don't forget the b/u lights.
write the reading on the amp guage down.
add the full amp rating of the ign.
multiply by 1.25.
this will give you a 25% safety margin over everything.
i would suggest staying away from parts house rebuilt alts.the only thing you know about them is they are cheap.
go with east coast electric or some similar co.or maybe a local starter alt shop.
or you could just throw a good 140 amp at it.

[saxmo]

i agree with chevibubba.. I bought a used 6/12 config. alt from junkyard for $10..then local alt shop rebuilt it up to 120 amp for $30, so I only had $40 in it.... a 90 amp delco was like twice that price....just my $.02