Brackets for one wire gen. to alternator conversion

[Wilbur]

I've searched this forum for instructions and suggestions on converting a generator equipped Falcon to an alternator equipped Falcon, I've found some great tips, thanks guys!!

What I cannot find is whether I can buy brackets that are manufactured and sold for any particular conversion. I have both a 6 cylinder Falcon, 200 ci, and an 8 cylinder Falcon, 260 ci, both 1964 Falcons.

The most important for me to find are the alternator brackets for the 8 cylinder Falcon.

The 6 cylinder has already been converted to an alternator using a Ford alternator and the current wiring harness but it is not working right, it is possibly overcharging the battery, definitely causing the "wet" battery to bubble over at times.

I've tried to fix it many times, no luck, and the easiest fix seems to be to just toss the whole mess switch to a one wire alternator for this car, but I may need different brackets for that, and would like to know where to find them.

So, can I buy ready made brackets for the conversions to one wire alternator on both of these cars? I intend to use a 70's to 80's GM one wire alternator as that seems to be the most frequently recommended and most highly recommended conversion.

Thank you!

Quick update: I've just finished doing more research on the internet and found that some people are using a FORD "one wire" alternator for this conversion, but no further information was provided. Has anybody done this conversion with a FORD one wire alternator and is it just as straightforward and simple as the GM conversion?

[redfalken]

It's been a really long time since I've done my conversion. Someone may produce new ones but 10 years ago you had to get them off a donor car. I think I needed the timing cover too. I think anything post-`65 like a Mustang, Maverick, Fairmont, Monarch, etc. had an alternator.

[pbrown]

I run a Ford style 100A one wire alternator on a V8. The alternator is made by Powermaster.

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/

[Luva65wagon]

I've done a couple Ford style 1-wire conversions. Google "Ford 3G alternator conversion" for help. I've got pictures on a few of my threads for both the 6 and 8 conversions I've done. I'll track down specific threads if you need me to. We're about to do the same conversion to Gene's Ranchero (Smithkid) too, so you will probably see pictures related to that here soon as well.

Powermaster and Chevrolay or others all do the same thing. Money and bling-factor are typically the only difference. The Ford 3G alternator is normally a serpentine system, but you can put a v-pulley on them. And they put out a lot of juice when/if needed (both of mine are 140 amp versions) - but I've not had a problem overcharging. Usually if you have overcharging, it's traced to an older style regulator (mechanical) and that can be remedied using a solid-state regulator. But sometimes it's a bad connector and the regulator isn't sensing the correct voltage of the battery and thinks it needs more. And sometimes it is a gremlin. And not the AMC kind. A one-wire system will require a large one-wire to the battery though a large fuse (about 10% larger than the max current capacity of the alternator), so it is a pretty simple install.

Good luck!

My Ranchero with a 200 six and the fuse block I added.

http://www.rainierfalcons.com/forums...&postcount=298

My update to a V8 with the one-wire 3G.

http://www.rainierfalcons.com/forums...&postcount=521

The picture attachment is the Ranchero motor before it had a V8.

[Wilbur]

Redfalken, PBrown, Luva65wagon, thanks for all the advice, it will certainly help. Also I have since found brackets for sale new at FalconParts located in California, they have brackets for both the V8 and the inline 6.

I'm a fan of lightweight cars, so I'll probably use the smallest alternator possible, my goal "was" to get my I-6 Falcon down below 2000 pounds, and after removing bench seats, sound insulation, and other items, I then ADDED back all that weight by upgrading to V8 everything but the motor. 8" rear, toploader trans, Granada disk brakes, etc. but using an inline 6 cylinder motor.

I would guess that going from the generator with it's massive brackets to a small Ford alternator of 65 amps saved hopefully 5 pounds at least, if not 10.

So with the alternator on the I-6 which is overcharging, if I cannot fix that using your recommendations, Luva65, I'll switch over to a one wire alternator.

The V8 Falcon still runs the generator, which works fine for my purposes, but I want the lower weight and size of the alternator, the car only runs a 260 ci motor and is dragging around way too much weight!

Thanks again for all the advice guys!!

[Luva65wagon]

...the car only runs a 260 ci motor and is dragging around way too much weight!

Sounds to me you should'a looked for a Sunbeam Tiger instead of a Falcon.



I really can't think of enough you could remove from a Falcon to make it much lighter than it came - other than some of the fiberglass parts you could get for the Rally Falcons. That might be worth investigating.

Though it's not clear the concern you have for weight - whether you are wanting to race them or simply lower the HP-to-weight ratio for the sake of doing it, rather than worrying too much about a few ounces or pounds here or there I'd make sure it is painted and waxed. Aerodynamic drag has far more effect on daily driving than weight does - unless you're doing a lot of acceleration or hill climbing. Wind load increasing exponentially with speed, so wind is your greatest enemy to using up the power you have. Once accelerated, weight doesn't do much to slow you down unless you're climbing a hill.

Just food for thought, but also to see what you're actually trying to accomplish with the weight loss.