64 Galaxie Generator Alternator Swap

Cool! That looks great, and thanks once again Kultulz.

I've got a couple of questions though...

First up, is there any reason to kick down the extra $20 for the Duralast versus the Valuecraft remanufatured alternator? I mean, they are both remanufactured units from autozone, so I guess I can't expect the world from either one, but is the Duralast really better?

Second, why is the Voltage regulator way the hell over on the other side of the car from the battery and alternator? Seems so silly that there must be a reason.

I can see that if I want to use the Trans Pro regulator, I can stick it right on the back of the alternator, but I'd rather stick with stuff that I can get anywhere... I'm trying to make this girl easier to fix not harder. Might there be somthing at the autozone that would stick on the back like that?

Also, the stock voltage regulator on the 65 wants to plug into a special socket that the 64 doesn't have. I was planning to just rig something up off the schematic, but aside from going out to the pick-n-pull which we don't have in NYC, is there any other way to get these little parts easily?

Billy Boy said:

First up, is there any reason to kick down the extra $20 for the Duralast versus the Valuecraft remanufatured alternator? I mean, they are both remanufactured units from autozone, so I guess I can't expect the world from either one, but is the Duralast really better?

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If it was me Bill, I would find a yard to get a take-off from a 65/70 FORD. That way, you will get the mounting brackets, alternator, charging harness (remove from engine harness) and the correct regulator. On the regulator, you will want the later electronic unit (remote) over the earlier mechanical unit (It will be the same size as the origional factory unit, but thinner and it will say TRANSISTORIZED on the cover). And you are correct in keeping it all FORD.

As for the quality of rebuilds, all of them are junk to me. They use off-shore internals and usually only replace the parts that are worn along with bearings and brushes if you are lucky. I would rather go through the alternator myself as I know anything that goes into it will be quality parts.

Second, why is the Voltage regulator way the hell over on the other side of the car from the battery and alternator? Seems so silly that there must be a reason.

Click to expand...

You can mount the regulator wherever you desire. You just have to modify the harness. Try to keep it where it will receive airflow as they have a tendency to heat.

Also, the stock voltage regulator on the 65 wants to plug into a special socket that the 64 doesn't have. I was planning to just rig something up off the schematic, but aside from going out to the pick-n-pull which we don't have in NYC, is there any other way to get these little parts easily?

Click to expand...

The correct regulator connector will be on the replacement harness or the plug is available as a service part (with short leads) as the plug internals get hot and short many times. NAPA should have the repair connector.

-MOTORCRAFT Alternator Repair Parts-

Please don't let anyone talk you into a one wire DELCO...

-MEL Engine Forum-

Up and running great.

Thanks for your help Kultulz.

Here is how it went down.

I got the Duralast from the autozone... I know, but I just don't have any good junk yards *at all*. So, instead of getting all the hardware off a junked 65-? I fabricated the brackets out of 1/4x1" aluminum and the spacer out of a length of 3/8th inch brass pipe. Not too hard really, just have to tune the spacer so that the pulleys line up right and put a squiggle in the aluminum so that the faces sit nicely against the mounts. Feels damn solid.

The rewire is easy if you follow Kultulz's diagram. But you'll need the diagram from the Galaxie club site (link above) in order to figure out which wire goes on which tab on the new regulator... if yours is like mine, it doesn't have any letters on it and so you just have to match everything up based on the indicator light tab which is the loner off to the side.

The mounting holes on my new voltage regulator don't fit the original mounting point, so I've got it hanging on by one right now, and I'll figure something else out soon.

Thanks again.

B