Alternator

[Vince]

I have an alternator I want to install in my 57 Ranchero. My Ranchero has a 292 Y block. I have a one wire Alternator and from what I have seen it is pretty cut and dry. The only question I have is how do I incorporate the relay What we call a horn relay into the line. I have installed an under dash volt meter and plain on eliminating the Gen Lite. The alternator has an internal regulator. any help on this mater would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Vince

[jopizz]

Vince,

The yellow wire that goes from the old voltage regulator to the horn relay is hot all the time because it splits off the heavy yellow wire that goes to the starter solenoid. You can either run a new wire from the battery side of the starter solenoid to the relay or just keep the yellow wire connected to the solenoid and either tape up the end that connects to the voltage regulator or keep the regulator in place with all the wires connected. I usually keep the regulator in place to give a stock appearance but I gut it so there's no connections inside.

John

[YellowRose]

Alternator

Vince sent me a pic of his nice looking '57 Ranchero. Here is what he said.

"This is my 57 Ranchero. All original with a 292 Y-Block. Would not hesitate to drive it anywhere."

[simplyconnected]

I have an alternator I want to install in my 57 Ranchero. My Ranchero has a 292 Y block. I have a one wire Alternator and from what I have seen it is pretty cut and dry. The only question I have is how do I incorporate the relay What we call a horn relay into the line. I have installed an under dash volt meter and plain on eliminating the Gen Lite. The alternator has an internal regulator. any help on this mater would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Vince

If you use a modern alt from just about any car you can keep your GEN light working properly AND your alternator will charge at idle speeds. This is important if you ever go to an electric fan.

Go to your local bone yard and pick an alternator from a car with an electric fan. Just about all cars and trucks now have electric fans and all modern alternators have internal regulators.

Wiring is easy on a modern alt. One wire goes to your battery, one wire goes to your GEN light and one wire is ground. That's it. The GEN light serves as a 'sense' wire to tell your alt that the key is turned on. A one-wire alt has no way of knowing if the key is on so it depends on high rpms. Not good in a parade or cruise. - Dave