Remove voltage regulator and install one wire alternator?

[Guest Loose_Screws]

Anyone know if of any issues with removing the voltage regulator and installing a one wire alternator? I am redoing some wiring in the car, so I don't mind making a few modifications. (Modifications is what this entire forum is all about! ).

 

Anyone done this? Any issues arise?

 

Thanks!

 

'77 280Z

[Guest 305240]

I've never personally had any problems on the conversions I did. I used a GM alt with the 1 wire conversion kit on GM's, Fords, and a Jeep. I even hooked one up to a 6 horse Briggs and used it for a mobile battery charger. I'm going to be using a GM 1 wire on my 240 with a Ford engine, but I'm totally rewiring the car.

[Guest Zachb55]

I swapped a GM Delco Remy alternator into my 240 which has a 75 280 engine in it... its working fine now, used to be overcharging and i couldnt check if my VReg was working (well it obviously wasnt). you will need a diode thingy that connects the two prongs together on the side of the alternator though, i was lucky enough to have a step dad that had one sitting around and knew that it was what i needed, otherwise the alternator wont charge (it needs some kind of resistance in this circuit, originally they had a charge light but unless your car has one of those, it wont work) so my suggestion: research this a little more, visit my site for some pics (im pretty sure i posted them) and then visit http://www.zcarcreations.com/howto.htm for some good tech articles. that should get you on your way, i found it to be a pretty sketchy swap, you just go by the tip of your nose.

 

-Zach

[Guest Loose_Screws]

Thanks for the info and link!

[jgkurz]

I personally like the 3-wire because it charges automatically at idle and senses voltage more accurately. Since installing the GM alternator my voltage never drops below 13.8 volts even with the accessories on. It's a great way to go, but a bit expensive.

[Guest 305240]

John, could you post a wiring diagram of your GM alt system? I think it would help a bunch of people out. Thanks.

[Guest 305240]

While searching thru some other Z forums, I come across this. It should answer any and all questions about installing the GM 1 and 3 wire alts to our Z system. Hope this helps.

 

http://www.nk.ca/~zcar/pages/articlepages/alternator.html