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Author
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Topic: Will my alternator keep up?
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BLstangin
Gearhead Posts: 817
From: St. James, MN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-26-2004 10:50 PM
   
I have a 40 amp alternator, I think, it's stock in my 70 stang, 302. I just put an msd 6al box in it, it has a cd player, but nothing fancy, and now I'm putting an electric fan in it that draws 28 amps steady, according to an amp gauge, reading just the fan, and about 35 on start up. Will my stock alternator keep up, or am I asking for trouble?------------------
1970 coupe restored with the help of my dad. 306 with 600 holley, Weiand Stealth intake, headers, mme custom roller cam, harland sharp roller rockers, kb pistons, 10.3:1 compression ratio, pertonix ignitor 2 with matched coil, lakewood bellhousing, 4-speed toploader, and 2.79 open 8" rear. Soon to be 9" 3.50 trac-lok
1986 f-150, 5.0, factory towing package with original c-6 trans
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 4638
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 07-27-2004 10:00 AM
I'd think you're pushing it. If it were just the MSD and fan or MSD and CD player, you'd probably be ok. Throw a third high-draw component in there and I feel you'll be taxing that charging system. JMHO  ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html
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wildfire466
unregistered
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posted 07-27-2004 10:29 AM
Part # HO-7013 $39.95FORD ALTERNATOR 105-AMP UPGRADE KIT Fits the standard 1G small case External Regulator alt. from 35 to 65 amps., single or double pulleys, used on Ford cars, light trucks, marine, industrial and other applications from 1965-1985. http://www.alternatorparts.com/ford_alt_repair_upgrade_kits.htm Les ------------------
http://www.geocities.com/wildfire1mustang/
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BLstangin
Gearhead Posts: 817
From: St. James, MN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-27-2004 11:29 AM
Thanks for the link Les. Does this upgrade charge well at idle or lower rpm? Also Will my wiring take that many amps or do I have to upgrade the wiring to the alternator?------------------
1970 coupe restored with the help of my dad. 306 with 600 holley, Weiand Stealth intake, headers, mme custom roller cam, harland sharp roller rockers, kb pistons, 10.3:1 compression ratio, pertonix ignitor 2 with matched coil, lakewood bellhousing, 4-speed toploader, and 2.79 open 8" rear. Soon to be 9" 3.50 trac-lok
1986 f-150, 5.0, factory towing package with original c-6 trans
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BLstangin
Gearhead Posts: 817
From: St. James, MN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-27-2004 04:44 PM
Well I put the fan in and first the thermal switch doesn't work right, won't even kick unless I put a torch to it to get it hot, then the motor is already at 210 and when it cools to 195 it shuts off. Next when the fan kicks on it pulls the motor way down and the alternator gets really hot, which I'm assuming means it isn't big enough. So I put the old fan back on and thought I'd go for a drive with the new msd box. Wow what a difference. Ran it up to about 5,500 rpm a couple of times and it's way better. Get back and open the hood to find antifreeze on the inner fender. If this dam thing blew head gaskets again I don't know what that I'll do. Maybe I should just sell the dam thing. I know it would be a lot less stress. I guess I'm just not supposed to ever be able to just drive it. I got it when I was 15, that was 4 years again, and I still haven't put more than 2,100 miles on it. ------------------
1970 coupe restored with the help of my dad. 306 with 600 holley, Weiand Stealth intake, headers, mme custom roller cam, harland sharp roller rockers, kb pistons, 10.3:1 compression ratio, pertonix ignitor 2 with matched coil, lakewood bellhousing, 4-speed toploader, and 2.79 open 8" rear. Soon to be 9" 3.50 trac-lok
1986 f-150, 5.0, factory towing package with original c-6 trans
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 20638
From: Reno Nv USA M&M#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 07-27-2004 09:18 PM
Either do the upgrade or get a higher amp alt.That way you'll be safe for sure.
That company also makes a 80 amp upgrade too.
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SCOOPoddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics The older I get
The better I was [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 07-27-2004).]
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wildfire466
unregistered
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posted 07-28-2004 12:50 AM
Quote: Well I put the fan in and first the thermal switch doesn't work right, won't even kick unless I put a torch to it to get it hot, then the motor is already at 210 and when it cools to 195 it shuts offYep just like a new car, some reach temps as high as 220. Try Autozone as they have lower rated switches, like 160 or 180. They are for computer cars but you'll have to figure a way to make that work. This is what I would do... put the coolant switch 160 and wire it to a (-) side of a relay. Now supply Batt (+) to the relay from IGN source. Now have a fuse link 30 amp? and supply that to the relay. From the relay a direct wire to the fan. Use 10 gauge wire to the fan and with the fuse link wire. The biggest problem that will happen is just befor the coolant switch arrives at (160 or temp you choose). It will chatter then go to on. The chatter will take out fuseable links and relays but that is the nature of the beast. Any more ? e-mail me and I'll try and offer some suggestions. Sorry long day for me  Les ------------------
http://www.geocities.com/wildfire1mustang/
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 2680
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-28-2004 08:52 AM
You often have to put a little computer 'heat sink' grease on the temperature sensors that are simply 'contact' units that attach to a headbolt or something, and don't actually stick into the water.Derale makes adjustable controllers. They are top quality, and they even have one that screws right into the water jacket on the intake. They have an included relay, and are adjustable from 150 to 240 degrees. They even have an override wire that kicks the fan on whenever you want. It can be wired up to a toggle switch, or hooked up to the AC. (if the car is so equipped) Go to http://www.derale.com and click on 'accessories'. You'll see the kits listed. Get the part number and call Summit. Since they are a dealer, they will be able to hook you up!  The Derale #16926 fan is only 3-1/4" thick, and blows like a hurricane. Plus, it's built in shroud measures 15-3/4" x 15-3/4", so it fits 65-66 mustang radiator cores perfectly! Here's a thread on cooling 65-66 mustangs. http://www.fordmuscle.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=29540&forum=1&13 Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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BLstangin
Gearhead Posts: 817
From: St. James, MN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-28-2004 04:35 PM
Well, I figured out the head gaskets are o.k. It just blew some coolant out the overflow. I tested my fan and it draws about 35 amps to start, so my dad got a 40 amp breaker that automatically resets itself after it cools. He works at John Deere and they are offten used on tractors so he had a spare one. I used 10 gauge wire. Also I had the switch set up to switch the ground side of the relay. The switch is one that screws right into the manifold Mike. It is rated on at 195, off at 180. It worked fine in my buddies truck but he bought an ajustable permacool one so he gave me is old switch so I could just use it. Since my alternator can't keep up and I'd have to buy a switch I just took it back off. At least all the wiring is there now. Next year I think that I'll buy the adjustable switch and a better alternator. Just don't have the money to spend at the moment. Thanks for all your help. And the msd box made a huge difference. It gets 2nd gear rubber now, and the tires want to chirp whenever you take off, much better than before.  ------------------
1970 coupe restored with the help of my dad. 306 with 600 holley, Weiand Stealth intake, headers, mme custom roller cam, harland sharp roller rockers, kb pistons, 10.3:1 compression ratio, pertonix ignitor 2 with matched coil, lakewood bellhousing, 4-speed toploader, and 2.79 open 8" rear. Soon to be 9" 3.50 trac-lok
1986 f-150, 5.0, factory towing package with original c-6 trans
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 2690
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 07-29-2004 01:14 PM
I use an adjustable switch and a relay, I bought them all seperatley from the fan at Advance autoparts. the adjustable switch has a little temp sensor (wire with a metal bulb on the end) that you tie up behind the radiator so it can tell when the radiator is getting warm. I have the switch set to come on as soon as the thing gets warm, and its only on when the ignition is key hot (so on a really hot day it doesnt stay on forever and run the battery flat in the parking lot)I dont have an MSD box, but my Alternator is a 55 AMP rebuilt unit and it seems to run fine. Maybe I need an upgrade kit to 80amps because I have been thinking about using my duraspark distributor to trigger an MSD box. ------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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