need alternator

[themorb]

Yesterday, dash lit up like a Christmas tree and voltage showed 18+ volts. Today, voltage stays at 12 even while running... dash is still a light show. Thinking I have a fried regulator...

I dropped my alternator off at Brian Roberts Auto Electric this morning, waiting to hear back for an estimate. However they confirmed from the part number that it is only a 60 amp alternator....... Not very impressive. Can anyone give me any advice on any cheap/local options for upgrading the amperage? I think some 81s may have had stock 80 amp alternators?

Was looking at Mean Green but they are awfully expensive..........

 

[bikersmurf]

I'd look at Chevy options. Stay away from the small bodied ones. My 120 amp was quite reasonable.

I don't know what would be easiest to make work with your drve belt(s).

 

[Toshi38]

I know for my 40 I found a chev bolt in aftermarket that was alot cheaper... it was 140 Amp... I don't have the part number out here in ontario but I found it by taking my alternator to the sydney lordco and my buddy found it. It was one of the shiny chromed alternators... they unfortunately didn't have it in chrome.

They had them in a display rack across from the counter.

Also I know that the guys at Brian Roberts do a good job and can make an alternator be rewound for more power (within some limits) although they're not too cheep.

 

[wussyPup]

Alternator may be OK

Nathaniel,

My HDJ81 used to do the Christmas light show too - it seemed that the air piping between the cleaner and turbo would occasionaly rub against the alternator wiring harness. Reseating the connector and twisting the piping away from the alternator would cure it for several months.

I'm not convinced we need more than 60 amps.

 

[themorb]

Got my alternator rebuilt... Rotor was burned completely black. They said that is weird, it is normally the stator which gets fried. Also bought new batteries.

Anybody with an 80 series... how hot does your alternator get while idling with no electronics turned on in the truck? Mine is almost too hot to touch. Maybe it was always that way, and I'm only noticing it now that it has been rebuilt...?

 

[Toshi38]

I went and looked up the alternator # I had for a 40 series and from lordco you can purchase a Powermaster brand 140 Amp alternator part # is 47294.

I haven't done it yet but it looks like it should bolt right up if i remember right ( I took it out into the parking lot and held it up to see how it'd look last year when I thought mine was dead.)