Converting to a single wire alternator?

[Rob68c10]

I went to autozone to get a new alternator for the 68. The guy suggested I get a single wire alternator so I don't have to deal with the voltage regulator anymore. He said it involves no work, just drop it back in. Is this true? I am hesitant to rely on advice from them.

Is it just a drop in thing?

[67Slider]

I'm curious too. I heard something about a resistor/transistor needed for this at one point. I haven't had to change mine yet but when the alt goes out I probably will.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by 67Slider

I'm curious too. I heard something about a resistor/transistor needed for this at one point. I haven't had to change mine yet but when the alt goes out I probably will.

You're confusing it with HEI; you need to bypass the resistor wire if you install HEI. The single-wire alternator is really easy to wire. I found a link someone posted earlier that explains it pretty well. I rewired mine in less than 15 minutes, including hunting for my wireless terminals in my parts bin.

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref14.html

[60ratrod]

is that the internally regulated alternator or the later model "one wire" alternator. cause the diagram looks like the internally regulated alternator. and the internally regulated alternators are easy to do

[Rob68c10]

Originally Posted by truckster

You're confusing it with HEI; you need to bypass the resistor wire if you install HEI. The single-wire alternator is really easy to wire. I found a link someone posted earlier that explains it pretty well. I rewired mine in less than 15 minutes, including hunting for my wireless terminals in my parts bin.

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref14.html

I am confused, does this mean that I DO have to mess with wires? The guy at autozone said that he converted one and didn't have to change anything at all.

[60ratrod]

yes you have to bypass the external regulator since the new alternator is an internally regulated unit. but the wiring part is simple

[7T2]

It still has a voltage regulator, it's just inside the alternator. Should work just fine.

[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.

[5150.4.67]

If it were me, I would just go with a 10si or 12si three wire.
1) They are less expensive
2) They perform a little better since they a remote voltage sensing
3) You can run a warning light.
Plenty of info on how to wire them on the web.........pretty easy stuff.

[stsalvage]

its like they say if it aint broke don't mess with it Now if your putting More stuff in your truck like a amp and TV's and AC Ya i would but if it anit broke why mess with it if you want to do it right instead of ****** rigging it WWW.truckandcarshop.com Has the wire harness that is like 15 to 24.00 it plugs in to your harness that you Already have and run a wire throw the fire wall witch they give you a rubber plug that goes under the speedo cable and the hole is already there you put the rubber plug in run the wire to you fuse panel and you done they give you instructions on how to do it there is no cutting splicing it has a connector for you to plug into just go the the web site go throw the and put alternator conversion kit


Now i'm not one to mess with the factory Harness that M&H makes.I've bought over 12 wiring kits for the countless car's and trucks.

I've built or just wanted to fix and turn and sell.Wiring should be replaced every 30 years cus.I've had 3 truck's have wire fires and it will scare the crap out of you when you have your cab fill up with smoke

[Blue72slab]

One-wire are mostly good for tractors and the like with no accessories because they charging all the time and do not have any remote voltage sensing to increase output when you are using more power. IMO you should switch to a 10 or 12 si which will bolt right in (although you may have to change/modify you adjusting bracket). It is easy to wire by jumpering the regulator wires or wiring it directly to the voltage sensing wire and dash light. Check out MADelectrical.com for a great discussion on this including one-wire alternators.