if i may suggest, the summit ones are not as good as the motorcraft ones. not to say they wont do OK especially on our 302 where the alt isnt up against the block and stays cooler. however, my 390 destroyed the one i had on it.
no that is more like a 302 where the alt is away from the block. on the 390 the back of the alt only has about a quarter inch space away from the head. not like the others where the whole alt is away from the block completely.
I run a 100 amp Gm alternator for 2 years now. was very easy to modify the attachment to the engine. before lights would dim at nite when engine idled. Now no problems like that. a stock ford alt ususally produces about 65 amps max. Not enough power when running sterios with amps and lights and AC,electric fuel pump and other nessesary stuff. Just remember the regulators for the alt are inside the alt and that is why u are able to clean up the engine compartment and get rid of all the voltage reg and condenser and wiring that came with the car stock.JMO RON
Can someone post a pic of their engine bay. Very curious to see how much more space it gives. Also, I do remember someone telling me that there really would be no reason to have the ALT light wired since alternators pretty much last for a hell of a long time.
This may be true, but I have found through experience that it is nice to know when the alternator is not charging the battery before you get far away from home and the car dies and you can't restart it, so back when I ran a Delco alternator I ran a 3 wire setup instead of a 1 wire setup. It's really not that much harder to have 3 wires as opposed to 1, but to each his own I guess. I've since switched over to a 3G Ford alternator that has 3 wires and I am very happy with it. This picture won't give much detail on space savings or anything, but at least you can see part of the 3G alternator:
heres the only pic i could find of my 3g http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g306/mav75/eng1-1.jpg If you go this route you need the ALT warning light. It acts as an exciter to start the alternator operation.
heres some pics of my 3g alt. instalation and cleaning up of the engine compartment. http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?attachmentid=33654&d=1241377901 http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?attachmentid=28078&d=1215491829
Looks just like the GM 1-wire I am using... Beware, VERY old picture, those holes are welded up, wiring is cleaner, I have a REAL spacer and not using that cut up deep socket, and engine bay is painted. Oh, yeah, new engine in there. But this is the pic right after I put in the GM alternator.
but, i liked the deepwell socket...w ould fit on a ratrod. Heres a view of mine, but its the polished alum from summit racing.. it cleaned up beautiful.
