Alternator differences/charging problems...any experts?
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Alternator differences/charging problems...any experts?
I noticed part numbers are different for a TPI/TBI 88' serpentine belt f-body and a 91' TPI/TBI serpentine f-body....although the alternators are physically identical and same amp ratings. Anyone know the differences?
I converted my TPI car from the V-belt to serpentine belt setup and have tried 4(yes I have 4 on hand) serpentine f-body alternators. One is a new one from alternatorparts.com, very high quality 140 amps. Worked great in my serpentine belt converted MCSS but only runs about 11.3 volts or so in the other car.....2 others are Autozone newer ones, worked fine in other cars. One is a *88* with a different number, larger pulley(buddies car has underdrive setup) and holds a charge fine. *91* does the same as the other, 11.3 or so. The last one is a junkyard one that tested fine at Autozone from a 88' Camaro. 11.3 or so on this car, holds a good charge in my MCSS though.
Any ideas?
All I did for my SS was extend the 2 larger wires, one off the battery the other out of the engine harness that go to the original SI type alternator. Also extended the plug wiring and added a 27 1/2 watt resistor. Works like a champ in that car.
The TPI car was converted to a CS type alternator last spring during the TPI conversion. Got a 87' TPI car alternator from alternatorparts.com as well, 130 amp rated. Worked just fine with one of their SI to CS adapter harness' (I just was lazy and cheap when doing the MCSS conversion and it worked out anyways).
Another question I have is where does the large red power wire come from in f-bodies in the engine harness?
Another tidbit that is helping me go nuts here is that in 86' and 87' on Montes, GM changed the setups slightly so its not as easy for me to clone the setup on my SS. The SS has the red thick wire from the engine harness while my 87' has the wire coming off the alternator plug and going back onto it where the wire from the battery connects. No idea why, but it is correct according to my 88' shop manual schematic. No idea why they changed it....
Any answers or ideas to my questions would be greatly appreciated! :hail:
I converted my TPI car from the V-belt to serpentine belt setup and have tried 4(yes I have 4 on hand) serpentine f-body alternators. One is a new one from alternatorparts.com, very high quality 140 amps. Worked great in my serpentine belt converted MCSS but only runs about 11.3 volts or so in the other car.....2 others are Autozone newer ones, worked fine in other cars. One is a *88* with a different number, larger pulley(buddies car has underdrive setup) and holds a charge fine. *91* does the same as the other, 11.3 or so. The last one is a junkyard one that tested fine at Autozone from a 88' Camaro. 11.3 or so on this car, holds a good charge in my MCSS though.
Any ideas?
All I did for my SS was extend the 2 larger wires, one off the battery the other out of the engine harness that go to the original SI type alternator. Also extended the plug wiring and added a 27 1/2 watt resistor. Works like a champ in that car.
The TPI car was converted to a CS type alternator last spring during the TPI conversion. Got a 87' TPI car alternator from alternatorparts.com as well, 130 amp rated. Worked just fine with one of their SI to CS adapter harness' (I just was lazy and cheap when doing the MCSS conversion and it worked out anyways).
Another question I have is where does the large red power wire come from in f-bodies in the engine harness?
Another tidbit that is helping me go nuts here is that in 86' and 87' on Montes, GM changed the setups slightly so its not as easy for me to clone the setup on my SS. The SS has the red thick wire from the engine harness while my 87' has the wire coming off the alternator plug and going back onto it where the wire from the battery connects. No idea why, but it is correct according to my 88' shop manual schematic. No idea why they changed it....
Any answers or ideas to my questions would be greatly appreciated! :hail:
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raymondandretti
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Sep 27, 2015 06:43 PM
