Is there a higher amp alternator that will bolt on in place of the stock alternator with no changes? I think I've about reached my limit with the stock alternator. My head lights dim and brighten with the turn signals, and all the lights go dim when the stereo booms. I need more juice! I did a search but all I can find is info on the one wire alternators. I'd rather stick with one that connects to the stock 3 wires if possible.
jamie, i think they made 3 diff. amp. alts. for our cars. you can check and see what amp. you have and maybe go to the highest one. it still want be much...i did the one wire with no mods. just bolted it on in the stock place. got the wireing directions from Dennis. you can put your headlights on a relay like Earl and i did, that helped a lot..frank... my alt. man told me he could go in the alt. and change something and get more amps. you might check that out.
I did the headlamp relays on my 71 F100 plus some aftermarket headlights.I plan on doing it to the Maverick also. Great mod. My F100 now has better headlights than the wife's 95 T-Bird clint
I have the same problem, I changed my whole charging system 2 times, still no charge at low idle, and if I have the blinkers on with the headlights, they dim. BTW, what is the link for the guage cluster bulb change? Shaun
Jamie I changed my regulator out for one that mounts to the alt. it is supposed to change it from 35 amp to 60 amp. I got it at the electrical rebuilders that builds our starters and alternators for our heavy equipment. I have not had any problems since.
There is a guy on eBay that custom builds Ford Alternators up to 100 AMPS and still uses the original wiring harness ... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HIGH...ewItemQQcategoryZ33573QQitemZ7999512953QQrdZ1
Most high output alternators for your use will require mounting alterations and a pully change. If you insist on staying with an external regulator then the Lincoln Mark VII alternator will one for consideration with the pully changed to V belt style, suitable mounting. It is 100 amp and still uses an external regulator. The lead from the altenator to the battery needs to have it's size increased and a 100 amp fuse link of some sort in line for protection. The Mav/Comets are a bit deficient on wiring sizes and age makes grounding a problem. Go over the cables, grounds etc before making an alternator change. Drawing ever more current through faulty lower power handling wiring can cause overheating and the results it brings.
I bought one of the 100 amp.alternators.Haven't used it yet,but it probably will help some.Like the others said though,relays are a must if you really want to do things right.You can get the kits with everything you need,and it takes all the strain off the old factory wiring.Once I get mine running,relays are next on the list. Graybeard
Ouch, the price is steep for that alternator You can tell the alternator and wiring was not designed for such a load, I can't use my laptop at the same time as the wipers
At best, these cars had a 60 amp alternator, many had smaller units. With headlites and a heater to run plus dash and driving lites,radio, wipers, there wasn't much more that was needed. Today with age and extra added electronics the car's system is deficient. The real way is to completely rewire the car just as an old house is rewired to bring it up to code and saftey. All the Ford cars and trucks right up to the very late 90s run the headlite power right through the headlite switch to the lights. This burns the switches and simply won't take added lighting and any hi intensity lamps for very long. The simple answer to this is installing slave realys to handle the current right from a protected source. The rest of the car is still at a deficiency for any other higher current draws. The 2000 up cars and trucks finally use a lot of minuture plugin relays for saftey and service. The Lincolns have a lot of high current drawing devices hence the large capacity alternator. Power seats, power windows, air suspension, electric powered ABS brakes, A/C/Heat, many running and service lights, brake controller, ABS controller, message center, climate control, the engine computer and ther control devices and a bunch of other misc options and they still have their problems at times just like any other car.
