? about 3g alternator

[gadget73]

You can go with a 200, but just be aware its not a stock size unit, so you're at the mercy of whoever modded it. I might suggest rjm for a new alternator. Their prices are good and they seem to sell quality stuff. Never bought one from them, but they sell an upgraded unit for what you'll pay a parts store for a stock rebuilt 130.
http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=6


I spin test them to make sure it spins OK, and look for obvious damage. Beyond that, you can't really test them without bolting it up or dropping by an auto parts store that can test alternators for you.

[85crownHPP]

Well, basically just because I can

You sure can! everyone is allowed to throw money away, this is America!
Seriously though, you can probably get one and another for a spare from the junkyard for half the price of any new one... go check first you might find a nice shiny almost-new one waiting for you.

[Lincolnmania]

the belt cant handle more than 150 amps load from the alternator, so it would be a waste of bucks to get a 200 amp unit

[1990LTD]

I was really using 200 as an example, I wanted to know if you could go higher.

[Archangel]

the belt cant handle more than 150 amps load from the alternator, so it would be a waste of bucks to get a 200 amp unit

That is correct, that's why RJM will only sell up to 160amp alternators - for the 200 amp units you will need an 8-rib serpentine belt, or a dual V-belt setup with diesel truck belts (they are thicker than standard small-block ones). When I have all my electrical accessories on I'm drawing over 100 amps, and when I revv up the engine the belt starts screaming, even though it's very tight - David from NY can vouch for that, he was actually standing a few feet back when I made the engine hit the governor cause he thought there will be belts flying out.

[87gtVIC]

lol very true. I feared for my life. ungodly sounds were coming from belt slippage.

[1990LTD]

would the alt from a late 90-early 00's F-150?

[gadget73]

If they have mounting ears in the right spot, probably. I believe those have the cases where a bolt runs through them from the top, kind of like the 4.6 cars.

[1990LTD]

cool. found out it's a '97 with the 4.2. truck got rear ended and while mechanically it's fine, it's been written off due to some structural things, I think. runs good and that hefty 6 has decent low end

[Archangel]

If it has the mounting ears in the proper place and the right distance between them it will fit. It's probably a 4G alternator tho, which wires up exactly the same way as the 3G does, with the exception you have no stator wire, so that white wire that comes out of the 3-wire plug needs to be clipped off - you're only left with yellow wire (battery sense) and green wire (alternator turn-on), both of which will work just fine if left alone in factory form.

[1990LTD]

The F150 alt didn't end up happening, but I just found a reconditioned alt from a 3.0 taurus/sable for $75 - What do you guys think of that deal? I'd have to drive about half an hour to get it but that's nothing.

[1990LTD]

I guess it took me too long to call him back so he thought I wasn't interested... $50 now

[gadget73]

50 bucks for no miles and guaranteed good sounds fine to me.

[1990LTD]

Thanks! I figured it was a decent deal but thought I'd run it by you cats anyway. I've never replaced an alternator before but it sounds pretty straightforward - Besides, I can practice on the parts car before taking any tools to my Vic