FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: ron bidstrup on June 08, 2023, 06:36:20 PM
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Recently purchased a car set up for a one wire alternator. looking for recommendations. thanks ron
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I recommend you ditch the one wire alternator and go with a Ford G3 conversion.
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X2 on the Ford G3 conversion. OEM unit is rated at 140 amps and is available at any parts house.
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Funny I was just on Jegs looking at a 140 amp alternator 1 wire from tuff stuff. What is the benefit of the G3 conversion and what does it entail
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Funny I was just on Jegs looking at a 140 amp alternator 1 wire from tuff stuff. What is the benefit of the G3 conversion and what does it entail
With the 3G, your factory dash warning light will still function properly, and it will start charging at idle, without needing to rev the engine up, to make it "kick in". Not to mention it looks like a Ford part, not a Chevy.
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Funny I was just on Jegs looking at a 140 amp alternator 1 wire from tuff stuff. What is the benefit of the G3 conversion and what does it entail
I made the switch because I run a couple of drag-n-drive events and with an aftermarket 1 wire alternator I felt the need to carry a spare one with me since most parts stores do not carry them. When I wrote "parts houses" I meant the local O'reilly's, Auto Zone etc...
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Funny I was just on Jegs looking at a 140 amp alternator 1 wire from tuff stuff. What is the benefit of the G3 conversion and what does it entail
This subject comes up quite a bit and has as much controversy as spark plugs or engine oil.
I ran the Powermaster 12SI 100 amp GM 1 wire alternator on a couple of different cars. Part #8002. Fits on the stock bracket with minimal modification. You do have to blip the throttle to make it work. No problems ever.
I only run a voltmeter so the dash light means little to me.
On my Comet I have a Powermaster 1 wire 3G. It's listed in their catalog especially for FE Ford applications. I've never had someone at a car show or the drags tell me I have a Chevy-look'n alternator on my car. Maybe they whisper about it behind my back or maybe they can't tell because I use a low mount alternator bracket.
There are folks who don't like Powermaster products for whatever reason. I personally have never had one of their products fail.
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All valid reasons. I don’t know why actually never looked into it but my alternator like doesn’t work. The alternator that I’m looking at is actually a Ford alternator identical to the one I have. I have seen the GM ones and have heard that they are a little deeper and some people complain that the BAT stud practically touches the cylinder head. I think the best reason is the easy availability. Although you can just put the old alternator in and plug in the regulator.
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I converted my '66 Galaxie (390 high mount alternator) to the 3G not long ago. Upgraded the stator and rectifier to bump it to 240 amp output and converted to serpentine belt as well. You can keep the original pulleys if you want, but I didn't think a single V-belt would handle the stress if the alternator was under a heavy load. Motortrend had an excellent write up about this conversion back in 2019. https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/install-high-output-ford-3g-alternator-older-fords Please ignore the rats nest of wiring. I'm currently in the middle of switching to an electric fan for the radiator which led me into the alternator upgrade. ;D
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I've had a one wire from PA Performance in my Cobra... I've replaced it twice in 8 years for heat related failure. Cobras tend to have pretty high under hood temps, but that's kinda lame. Definitely not using that particular unit on my new build.
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All the race cars I've run with exception of the dragster use a regular junkyard Ford small case Gen 3 with 3 wire hookup. No issues. I have a spare new in box I bought at a swap meet for $25. The rest were $45.
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Here’s a list of cars with 3G alts that I have used for many years in case you go yard diving. I’m sure there are more but this’ll get ya started.
130G Alternators:
94-96 Mustang 3.8 V-6
94-95 Mustang 5.0
94-96 Thunderbird 3.8 V-6 (non SC)
95-96 Windstar 3.0 V-6 (most are 3.8's)
93-96 E/F series Trucks/Vans 4.9 L6*
96 Sable 3.0 V-6
94-96 Cougar 3.8 V-6
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I have used two 1 wire alts. from Powermaster. ZERO issues with either. Started with a 100A and upgraded to a 150A just cuz. The "rev it up to turn on" is not the inconvenience it's made out to be. I mounted in the low position because the rear bearing will nearly touch the cylinder head and it gives a cleaner look. Oh, and there is a terminal to connect the factory warning light in the cluster if you want.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cLKPpwNH/20200510-131315.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Did you order the unit with the v-belt pulley installed or you need to swap one on?
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Did you order the unit with the v-belt pulley installed or you need to swap one on?
If you're referring to the 3G, you swap over the serpentine pulley with the V-belt pulley. Very easy. Just remove the nut, and swap over the pulley. There are no 3G with a V-belt pulley that I am aware of.
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Did you order the unit with the v-belt pulley installed or you need to swap one on?
If you're referring to the 3G, you swap over the serpentine pulley with the V-belt pulley. Very easy. Just remove the nut, and swap over the pulley. There are no 3G with a V-belt pulley that I am aware of.
A few years back, I believe on another forum, someone commented there was a Ford 3G alternator from a school bus application that came with a double V-belt pulley. I haven’t had a chance to investigate that one, but If I find where I saved the info I’ll come back & add it. Probably not an easy one to find at the generic auto parts stores, but not sure.
Otherwise Powermaster makes a nice chrome double V-Belt pulley that fits the 3G and isn’t very expensive. Powermaster part number 112.
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Google and Amazon to the rescue:
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