hi all, this may have been brought up before, which one is the easiest, cheapest or best to install?, a 1 wire or 3 wire alternator, thanks
Two wire! 3G alternators have one wire to the battery side of the starter relay and one wire to the dash light. 3G alternators are internally regulated so the OEM regulator is bypassed.
Easiest may be the 1 wire, but for best, I much prefer the later 3G, like I swapped into my 59, with a 428. It fits nicely with the factory FE alternator brackets, is pretty easy to wire up, and unlike the "1 wire", the factory "Gen" light in the dash functions like original. Plus you do not need to rev up the engine to get the 1 wire to "kick in" and start charging. Not to mention most 1 wires are GM alternators, and I just refuse to put GM parts in or on my Fords.
ok Gasman, is ther a prferrd brand or make alternator you like?, jerry
Quote from: 59meteor on 2024-02-28 21:00Not to mention most 1 wires are GM alternators, and I just refuse to put GM parts in or on my Fords.
Makes two of us. If I want bow-tie junk...I'll buy it, not pollute my
Ford!
3G is model/style/design of a FoMoCo designed OEM alternator. Several manufacturers offer 3G style alternators. They are readily available at wrecking yards as well as local parts stores. I get mine from Powermaster for larger amp outputs, quality, service and old-time US company.
2G from a 87 Aerostar 3.0 75 - 80 amp
3G from a 94 Mustang 5.0 130 amp
Both are the same configuration as the 1G. The 2G is the same physical size as the 1G. It has a bad reputation for the wiring catching on fire. That was do to the "Ford's Better Idea" wiring. Aftermarket plugs have fixed that issue. I have a 2G in the 36, been there a long time with no issues. I did use a 3G in the Ranchero. As stated all you need to make it work is a wire through a light bulb to 12V run. Of course the output to the battery at the solenoid or starter.
ok, 1 last question, ;is it a shoe in, or is a special bracket needed, an thanks for all the info guys
The 2G will "bolt in" as it is physically the same size a 1G. The 3G will require some spacer changes as it is large then the 1G. Both of those I listed are mounted like the 1G and the housing can be clocked like the 1G to get a more favorable wire location.
When I swapped from the original generator, to a 3G alternator in my 59, I used factory alternator brackets from an alternator equipped FE vehicle, and I didn`t need to modify the brackets at all. Although I have the factory FE alternator brackets for both hi mount and low mount, I went with the high mount, for ease of access. Besides the wiring, all that I had to do was swap out the serpentine belt style pulley for a factory V belt pulley, (in my case, a factory 428 Cobra Jet dual groove pulley), and because the adjusting hole is not threaded like the older 1Gs, I used a longer bolt and nut. Keep in mind, my 428 block is equipped with the threaded boss for the alternator mounting bolt, which the earlier FE blocks were lacking.
ok, to Gasman, having a hard time fnding a altenator, have ;a number, or numbers I can look up, thanks
an to 59 meteor, is your upper mountng bracklet available?, ifso, who makes it , thanks again
I've been looking, checking for 2or3 days, starting to get confusing
Quote from: geraldchainsaw on 2024-03-03 09:12ok, to Gasman, having a hard time fnding a altenator, have ;a number, or numbers I can look up, thanks
an to 59 meteor, is your upper mountng bracklet available?, ifso, who makes it , thanks again
I just used the common factory FE upper alternator bracket, which was pretty much the same from the mid 60s thru 1976. Cars and trucks.
I've been looking, checking for 2or3 days, starting to get confusing
PowerMaster has several options and it can be confusing. If I remember correctly, your '57 is still running the Y-Block. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any alternator that is a direct replacement for a Y-Block generator using the OEM generator bracket. It has been awhile since I converted my '57 292 from generator to alternator but I am sure I had to get creative and modify the OEM bracket if not completely fabricating another bracket. I'm pretty sure I also changed the adjustment strap. I searched the internet to see if there is an aftermarket bracket for Ford style alternator frames (there are brackets for 1-wire GM style frame, but I think they are too expensive). If I were to do it again, I would get the alternator and modify or make the bracket. As I remember, it wasn't a big job but the bracket needs to move toward the radiator. Once you make/modify the bracket, most Ford style alternator frames will fit with maybe a shim or two. PowerMaster offers a 3G style, Ford style frame, 140 amp (bigger than you will ever need!), w/'V' groove pulley, internally regulated, and includes the pigtail to hookup to the '57 dash light (PowerMaster number 47757). Due to the much larger amperage capability, you will need a much larger (maybe #6) wire to the battery (large post alternator to battery side of the starter relay). As the dash light wire, I used the one of the OEM generator wires in the harness under the core support over to the OEM regulator. I connected the gen to regulator wire to the dash light wire so the 3G internal regulator would be controlled by the original '57 dash light. The original feed from the regulator to the headlight switch (all interior power comes from the headlight switch) will bypass the OEM regulator and be connected to the alternator large post and/or to the post on the battery side of the starter relay. I did check and I don't have one single picture of the Y-Block!
thanks for the info, kinda thought I would have to improvise, this will take some time, let you now how I make out
I found the altenator, but it has a 6 grove pulley, Ill have to get in touch with speedway, see if they'll change to a v pulley,, & theres only 1 left,so I'll have to make mind up fast
Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember there was a company that was making alternators inside of generator housings so one could have the stock look, yet the dependability of an alternator.
Do not remember the company name any longer...but maybe someone else knows of them?
thanks mustang, but I want eas of handling and taken out, not a mod gen
jmany have heard the term, if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. so, after many posts an help, I went to order a powermaster 47757 altenator, there all gone, SOLD out, now I have to start over
Quote from: mustang6984 on 2024-03-03 23:53Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember there was a company that was making alternators inside of generator housings so one could have the stock look, yet the dependability of an alternator.
Do not remember the company name any longer...but maybe someone else knows of them?
THat is the "Power Gen", which I believe is made by PowerMaster. Installs using all the factory generator brackets. Concerning Y Blocks, wasn`t the Y Block last used in the 1965 Ford PU trucks? If so, wouldn`t they have come with an alternator from the factory? If so, those should be fine for a 1G, 2G, or 3G alternator.
Quote from: 59meteor on 2024-03-04 22:28THat is the "Power Gen", which I believe is made by PowerMaster. Installs using all the factory generator brackets. Concerning Y Blocks, wasn`t the Y Block last used in the 1965 Ford PU trucks? If so, wouldn`t they have come with an alternator from the factory? If so, those should be fine for a 1G, 2G, or 3G alternator.
Well...got me curious...so I looked. This is what I found:
"
All of the trucks through '64 had generators, all of the '65 and later cars/trucks have had alternators."
From The Ford Barn article Jan. 17, 2012
RockAuto.com has several choices of each style of the 2G and 3G for the cars I listed. The serpentine pully comes off easily and the old 1G V belt pully swaps directly to the shaft. No exotic adaptors or spacers needed. Just need to hook up the "idiot" light to excite the thing.
When I converted the Edsel to a 2G I used the original generator mount with a spacer and a long bolt to fit it on the original generator mount. The adjuster arm came out of the "scrap" bin. No idea what the source was, just know it came from a Ford of some kind.
thanks again guys, llet u know what happens, jerry
to ford blue blood, i reg for rockauto, been on comp for 1/2 hour, can't find anythhng on altenators, or a phone
# I could call, jerry
I bought a 3G alternator a few years ago for a Lincoln electric fan conversion, but never got around to do the swap. Is there a special plug available for the alternator for the hookup? Haven't looked at it in awhile but seem to remember 3 wires and a oval receptacle on it.
Quote from: rmk57 on 2024-03-05 11:02I bought a 3G alternator a few years ago for a Lincoln electric fan conversion, but never got around to do the swap. Is there a special plug available for the alternator for the hookup? Haven't looked at it in awhile but seem to remember 3 wires and a oval receptacle on it.
Yes, Randy, when I swapped to a 3G alternator on my 59, I bought a new plug with a few inches of wire for each terminal, from my local NAPA store. I will see if I can find the part number for it tomorrow, if you would like. Or you could just order one for a 1995 Mustang 5.0
Geraldchainsaw hope this helps.....
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1987,aerostar,3.0l+182cid+v6,1105029,electrical,alternator+/+generator,2412
or this one
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1994,mustang,5.0l+v8,1134133,electrical,alternator+/+generator,2412
PowerMaster offers a selection for 3G with pigtail. Link is to an eBay site:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/384377462413?itmmeta=01HR885QM32ACX523T19XYVT5R&hash=item597eae9e8d:g:5a4AAOSwbOphNqRq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4DjNwOIkPk2fX45P%2B6zCmxdYqGtVSPcW036fckKSyrSgxo0hcC4vw5oaF7v0gHVY3MF%2BjJAOUamijD6POL94rRWbdR8IOHeKOyiCd4qjvYa%2Ftl%2BHg5HPfF4RNcRB2JNk7aghf8N8%2B994sSIi4NB3KUeDFdb8%2FxNDjxCIcBqbVl0ULKQKX3HsAf8oWJ5C391zdQsckXXWxcrRhBe0xksPzinvaFIurWKutmFwfzHxtzfVNyrbHbJeIUWAeQWuJT4AXqkkD5bAiKfwolJHkJ9HSDG%2FSCqqWGJss82mbgVl3301%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5D6lojCYw
Standard disclaimer: By posting this link to an ebay listing in no way an endorsement for the produce or seller. Further more, posting the above link does not imply that I (the poster) has ever bought or used this product. Posting this link is for entertainment purposes only!
thanks again guys, let u know what I come up with, might be a while, jerry
Thanks Rory, Gasman. Going to be a next winter project, if ever.
1 last remark, me, not everyone, after I check into diff things start getting confused, with the help an advice from others, forget that theres other companys out there, looking up powermaster 47757 altenators, theres a few other co's that handle it, an price differences you wouldn't believe, starting at $225 all the way up to around $350 or more, now all I have to do is makeup my mind, thanks for all of the help guys, jerry