Alternator Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

78SilveradoSWB · 07-13-2003, 05:33 PM

I am looking at a 180 amp alternator being sold on Ebay for $129. It's a 3 wire set up vs. 1 wire. It requires a 4 ga. alternator output wire. That's one big wire vs. what I have now. Is this the red wire behind the current OEM alternator? Where does it go. On mine, it runs along the intake manifold and valve cover towards the distributor and out from my sight. Where does it go and connect to?

gchemist · 07-13-2003, 08:55 PM

Do you plan on lighting up a city or generator? 180 amps is a lot of power.

87 STEPPER · 07-13-2003, 10:23 PM

Can't answer your ? but how do you know your gonna get a true 180 amp Alt. off of Ebay??

You won't know for shure if it's producing a 180 amp's unless you have an amp meter to check it.

With all the scams you hear about over there you never know it sounds bogus to me.

If you really need or want a 180 amp Alt. buy it form Jeg's or Summit that way you will be getting what your paying for!

77 Shortbed · 07-14-2003, 12:13 AM

I tend to agree with 87 Stepper about ebay but to answer your question yes it is the red wire from your alternator and it runs to a terminal block located on the firewall. On my 77 its above the drivers side valve cover near the top of the firewall.

78SilveradoSWB · 07-14-2003, 02:59 AM

This is the one I was looking at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2422363887

Hey G-Man, I was thinking about that!

Nvbowtie · 07-14-2003, 05:35 AM

Positive feedback: 99.6%

I would say your pretty safe,
don't know to many Power sellers that are scammers

2457 positives with 9-people unhappy !

there aint no auto parts house I know, that could have that good of feed back.

If you need that much

go for it !!

78SilveradoSWB · 07-14-2003, 10:57 AM

I reviewed the negative and neutral feedbacks and they were all marginal or from real losers. I would really feel comformtable dealing with this seller. Don't exactly need 180 amps, but for $129, that's a lota bang for the buck. The Powermaster 140 amp. unit costs way much more......

rockman20 · 07-14-2003, 12:42 PM

What are you running in your truck? I upgraded my alt in my Cutlass to a one wire, high output but I only did that because I am now running amp/stereo (nothing huge, just an amp for the 2 6 X 9's and a Pioneer deck) I have electronic gauges, MSD equipment, and running dual electric fans (my main reason for upgrading) Doing the one wire allowed me to drop the massive size cable down a bit since I am only running a short distance from alt to battery. I think it is 6 gauge if I remember correctly.

Your question has been answered though. Yes it is that red wire off your original alt and it runs to a block that, on my 82, is screwed to the firewall towards the driver side.

As for the Ebay, I would feel comfortable with the seller in this case. And that isn't a bad price at all.

78SilveradoSWB · 07-14-2003, 01:02 PM

Currently I have the optional OEM 55 amp alternator, but I am planning for the future which includes dual electric fans, stereo, etc. and don't want to be undermanned....

rockman20 · 07-14-2003, 02:03 PM

So planning for the future. Always a good thing to do. Those fans sure draw a lot of power when they kick on. I am toying with this idea for my truck as well. But I gotta figure out what I am going to do with the engine first.

PHOENIX · 07-14-2003, 04:05 PM

I say go for it.

Be sure to let us know how it goes, I may get one of those too.

Hard_Core_Hick · 07-14-2003, 04:39 PM

Or you could just go to a auto parts store that takes back old ones for rebuilt alternator for like half price or just spend the 200 bucks and just buy one

gchemist · 07-15-2003, 12:50 AM

Ebay rocks. I bought a brand spanking new 94 amp alternator for $15!!! It was new and it had the output test tag right on it. 107 amp max output!! I say go for it!!

07-13-2003, 05:33 PM	#1
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Alternator Question I am looking at a 180 amp alternator being sold on Ebay for $129. It's a 3 wire set up vs. 1 wire. It requires a 4 ga. alternator output wire. That's one big wire vs. what I have now. Is this the red wire behind the current OEM alternator? Where does it go. On mine, it runs along the intake manifold and valve cover towards the distributor and out from my sight. Where does it go and connect to? __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

07-13-2003, 08:55 PM	#2
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Do you plan on lighting up a city or generator? 180 amps is a lot of power. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

07-13-2003, 10:23 PM	#3
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Can't answer your ? but how do you know your gonna get a true 180 amp Alt. off of Ebay?? You won't know for shure if it's producing a 180 amp's unless you have an amp meter to check it. With all the scams you hear about over there you never know it sounds bogus to me. If you really need or want a 180 amp Alt. buy it form Jeg's or Summit that way you will be getting what your paying for! __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

07-14-2003, 02:59 AM	#5
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	This is the one I was looking at. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2422363887 Hey G-Man, I was thinking about that! __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

07-14-2003, 05:35 AM	#6
Nvbowtie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Laughlin, Nv. USA Posts: 700	Positive feedback: 99.6% I would say your pretty safe, don't know to many Power sellers that are scammers 2457 positives with 9-people unhappy ! there aint no auto parts house I know, that could have that good of feed back. If you need that much go for it !! __________________ www.unlimited2u.com/chevy Bill 1980 Chevy C-10 Silverado 1988 Chevy Blazer Tahoe

07-14-2003, 12:13 AM	#4
77 Shortbed Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 16	I tend to agree with 87 Stepper about ebay but to answer your question yes it is the red wire from your alternator and it runs to a terminal block located on the firewall. On my 77 its above the drivers side valve cover near the top of the firewall.

07-14-2003, 10:57 AM	#7
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	I reviewed the negative and neutral feedbacks and they were all marginal or from real losers. I would really feel comformtable dealing with this seller. Don't exactly need 180 amps, but for $129, that's a lota bang for the buck. The Powermaster 140 amp. unit costs way much more...... __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

07-14-2003, 12:42 PM	#8
rockman20 "The dude abides" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Dakota Posts: 472	What are you running in your truck? I upgraded my alt in my Cutlass to a one wire, high output but I only did that because I am now running amp/stereo (nothing huge, just an amp for the 2 6 X 9's and a Pioneer deck) I have electronic gauges, MSD equipment, and running dual electric fans (my main reason for upgrading) Doing the one wire allowed me to drop the massive size cable down a bit since I am only running a short distance from alt to battery. I think it is 6 gauge if I remember correctly. Your question has been answered though. Yes it is that red wire off your original alt and it runs to a block that, on my 82, is screwed to the firewall towards the driver side. As for the Ebay, I would feel comfortable with the seller in this case. And that isn't a bad price at all. __________________ RockMan 1993 Chevy Silverado C3500 1 ton dually 1994 Honda Civic 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1953 IH Farmall Super M New to the fleet: 1992 Subaru Loyal

07-14-2003, 01:02 PM	#9
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Currently I have the optional OEM 55 amp alternator, but I am planning for the future which includes dual electric fans, stereo, etc. and don't want to be undermanned.... __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

07-14-2003, 02:03 PM	#10
rockman20 "The dude abides" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Dakota Posts: 472	So planning for the future. Always a good thing to do. Those fans sure draw a lot of power when they kick on. I am toying with this idea for my truck as well. But I gotta figure out what I am going to do with the engine first. __________________ RockMan 1993 Chevy Silverado C3500 1 ton dually 1994 Honda Civic 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1953 IH Farmall Super M New to the fleet: 1992 Subaru Loyal

07-14-2003, 04:05 PM	#11
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	I say go for it. Be sure to let us know how it goes, I may get one of those too. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

07-14-2003, 04:39 PM	#12
Hard_Core_Hick Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 133	Or you could just go to a auto parts store that takes back old ones for rebuilt alternator for like half price or just spend the 200 bucks and just buy one __________________ I need a 454 4 barrel and dad wont let me get one

07-15-2003, 12:50 AM	#13
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Ebay rocks. I bought a brand spanking new 94 amp alternator for $15!!! It was new and it had the output test tag right on it. 107 amp max output!! I say go for it!! __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos



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