Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Topic: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L? (Read 16605 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #30 – March 22, 2005, 05:41:19 PM

Rebuilding a 2G is as easy as hell, if your rotor and stator are good. A set of brushes, a new bridge, and some bearings (all included in a rebuild kit) and you're good to go. Hell, if you're planning on replacing it soon anyway, don't even bother with the bearings.

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #31 – March 22, 2005, 05:44:16 PM

Wouldn't external reg be a 1G?

Also thought about getting one of these:

http://www.realgoods.com/shop/shop6.cfm/dp/606/ts/1011563

Anyone remember offhand how much the clock drains on key-off? (I know it's going to be miniscule, but it adds up.. 5-6 months of it has killed the battery in my 88.. oops)

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #32 – March 22, 2005, 07:37:36 PM

Actually, you're right, external regulator is 1G. Still very easy to rebuild, though (I did it in my old '85).

The local mounties swear by those solar chargers. All the police equipment in the cars places a big drain on the battery (Motorola radio, computer, cell phone, flashlight, plus clock and am/fm memory).

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #33 – March 22, 2005, 07:42:01 PM

And just think, the sun's much closer to straight overhead down here in south Florida vs. up there in popsicle-land. :p

I might wire in a second cig plug, which I was thinking of doing anyway, (inverter for laptop, CD/MP3 player power plug.. although I do have a cig plug splitter adapter) and use that for the solar panel. This would be as an aside to the alternator upgrade.. I'll probably do that whether I have a panel or not.. but it's something I might buy now and just wait until I can afford to do the swap right. (proper alternator, new belt, new pulley, 4G wire, finally do the smog pump delete, etc.)

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #34 – March 23, 2005, 07:48:37 AM

Here's an installation of the PA performace 95 Amp alternator: http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/26599/

And here's one for a 130 AMP from a 94-95 Mustang into an earlier Fox: http://www.corral.net/tech/maintenance/130a-tech.html

I'm sure you could find the 130 Amp model for less than the $219.99 these guys did.

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #35 – March 23, 2005, 09:49:42 AM

Quote from: Paul Flockhart

I'm sure you could find the 130 Amp model for less than the $219.99 these guys did.

There is no 130A alternator for the pre '88 3.8 mounting setup.

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #36 – March 23, 2005, 10:26:13 AM

Quote

There is no 130A alternator for the pre '88 3.8 mounting setup

The following vehicles came with the 130 Amp model from the factory:

(1994-95) Ford Mustang 5.0L
(1994-00) Ford Mustang 3.8L
(1994-97) Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar 3.8L
(1990-95) Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable 3.8L
(1993-99) Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable 3.0L
(1995-98) Ford Windstar 3.8L & 3.0L
(1991-94) Lincoln Continental 3.8L
(1992-97) Ford F Series Pickup
(1992-96) Ford E Series Van

This quote is from Ford Fule injection.com

Quote

The 3G will bolt into early serpentine brackets after a small area is removed with a grinder.

By early I guess they mean 88-up? This pick was with the quote....
I would guess that with all the different vehicles (including trucks) some of these might have different mount points and you could make it work. I'm gonna do some research.

EDIT: Why won't this work?http://www.pa-performance.com/mustang.asp The 130 AMP I mean....

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #37 – March 23, 2005, 10:39:13 AM

Quote from: Paul Flockhart

I'm gonna do some research.

Have you read any of this thread?
I did do research. All those 130A 3G alternators you listed have mounts 180 degrees apart. Look at my spreadsheet for alternators with the offset mounting.

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #38 – March 23, 2005, 10:44:58 AM

Yes I did. Did I say they would bolt right up? It's been a while since I worked on an older 3.8. I did not know that ALL of those had the same mounts. THATS WHY I SAID I WAS GONNA DO SOME RESEARCH! RELAX!!!!

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #39 – March 23, 2005, 10:57:34 AM

Actually, you are correct; all of those alternators you mentioned do not have 180 degree mounts. None of them have the correct offset mount though.
My response wasn't meant to be taken with an angry tone, but rather one of exasperation. I spent a sizable chunk of time finding out alternator interchanges only to have someone say a month later, "I wonder what alternators interchange with the pre '88 mount?. Let me find out." ;)

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #40 – March 23, 2005, 11:08:19 AM

Ok I apologize

The research comment wasn't a stab at ya.

I am curious if the Mustang listing for a 83-86 from PA performance will work or not.... were those V-belt or Serpentine?

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #41 – March 23, 2005, 11:32:14 AM

Quote from: Paul Flockhart

I am curious if the Mustang listing for a 83-86 from PA performance will work or not.... were those V-belt or Serpentine?

Hmm, it seems PA-Performance thinks the 83-86 3.8 Mustangs had straight mount alternators. Motorcraft.com shows those Mustangs to have the same part# (GL-211RM) as 82-86 Thunderbirds. GL-211RM is definitely an offset 1G. I believe those are serpentine.

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #42 – March 23, 2005, 02:20:09 PM

Well, I guess I can forget any changes after all. Someone screwed us over on a bunch of Ebay sales.. lost close to $100, and mine's the type of sale that I really can't get back.

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #43 – March 23, 2005, 04:20:53 PM

That sucks... I know all about non-paying bidders

Re: Alternator upgrade for pre '88 3.8L?

Reply #44 – March 23, 2005, 04:52:02 PM

Well this guy paid.. close to $100 on Saturday.. then put a hold on all those funds last night. Did it to another credit-seller too. It's not something that's going to be recoverable, most likely.

I get the feeling that it's some kid who swiped his mom's credit card and went on a credit shopping spree to buy in-game stuff.. then his mom found out about it and put a hold on it.