QuickVet

i need a new alternator for my 79. a shop told me they only make a 60 something amp rating alternator that will fit in my car. is that a lot of :bs or what. i thought i had a 100 amp in my car right now. mabey not.

what should i order from summit? what will work?

Paul L

1979 alternators were:
37 amp, L48 (rare usage)-1102394
42 amp, L48 and L82 without A/C-1102484
61 amp, all cars with A/C but without rear window defogger and heavy duty battery-1102474
63 amp, all cars with A/C or rear window defogger-1102908
70 amp, all cars with A/C and rear window defogger or heavy duty battery-1101041

I do not have A/C but I do have the rear window defogger. It takes a lot of juice. I have a 70 amp. In my opinion, 100 amp is over-kill. And someone help me with this, it may damage circuits.


[Modified by paul79, 2:51 PM 12/1/2001]

rainman69

I'm thinking that an alternator will only provide the current being drawn by the circuits in the car up to the rated point. But, I don't remember much of my power systems class...so don't quote me on that. :smash:

Paul L

I do not know either. Just the thought that sometimes bigger is not better?

Rockn-Roll

I've upgraded systems to larger current alternators...up to 120 amps. You can get high power alternators at swap meets and corvette shows that use the same size case as the original...though I'm not sure how long they last.

You won't need any thing larger than the 60 for stock systems. The only reason to get a larger alternator is if you are going to have something that requires the current, like a 1,000 watt audio amplifier...you won't even need a larger alternator is you have a 500 watt audio amplifier. If you do need a larger alternator then be sure to get larger diameter cables...the alternator currently has a 10 gauge wire running to the battery for charging. 100 amps should be using a 4 gauge or at least a 6 gauge or you run the risk of melting the insulation and shorting out the alternator...especially for Stingrays since the battery is located about 6 feet away from the alternator.

Paul L

That's what was in the back of my mind. Thanks.

QuickVet

cool. thanks for all the advice. i will order the one my friend was gonna get for me. i hope i didnt destroy anything :( it has been on there for a few years so i think im fine :)

SteveG75

Don't pay the $$$ for a new alternator. Go to this site:
http://www.alternatorparts.com

They have rebuild/upgrade kits that work with your stock case. I upgraded my 42 amp stock unit to 80 amps for $24.95 and they also have a 105 amp kit for about $35. Whole job took me 45 minutes to do including removing and reinstalling the alternator.

0Mike69@ECS

Listen to Steve. Rebuilding your alt. isnt hard at all.

I currently have a 110 amp alt on the car from summit. I rebuilt it last year but now I'm getting a whine from one of the bearings. I don't know what thats about exactly but It's a new one to me.

Anyway for the price of the rebuild kits it's a cheap and effective way to go. plus... you get to take more stuff apart! :cool: :D

FINWOLF

My motor is out of a 1970 Chavell and I need to put an electric fan in and I need a higher out put alternator I think. My question is how can you tell the amp out put of the own you got is there # you can find on the alternator.