My Willys 3A and 3B Community

TECH FAQ SECTIONS => Electrical Systems => Topic started by: Mytwojeeps2020 on December 18, 2020, 07:59:57 PM

Title: Which alternator (revised post)
Post by: Mytwojeeps2020 on December 18, 2020, 07:59:57 PM

The info below was posted by Squidtone four years ago, in response to someone asking about generator/alternator conversions.

I want to move my CJ5 from a generator to an alternator.  In your opinion, are these still the cars I need to look for when traipsing through the junkyard? Can you suggest others?

Thanks!


“ 10SI Alternator (63 amp) 
         Chevy Camaro 350 with AC
         Buick Regal 4.9L (301W) with AC
         Pontiac Grand Prix 5.7L (350R) with AC and HBL

12SI Alternator (94 amp)
        Chevy Camaro HiPo 5.0L (305G) 94amp
        Buick Riviera 5.0L (307 engine) with HD options and AC

12SI Alternator (78 amp)
        Pontiac Firebird 5.0L (305H) no AC, HBL only.
         Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 5.0L “

Title: Re: Which alternator (revised post)
Post by: Rus Curtis on December 18, 2020, 08:49:48 PM

Quote from: Mytwojeeps2020 on December 18, 2020, 07:59:57 PM

The info below was posted by Squidtone four years ago, in response to someone asking about generator/alternator conversions.

I want to move my CJ5 from a generator to an alternator.  In your opinion, are these still the cars I need to look for when traipsing through the junkyard? Can you suggest others?

Thanks!


“ 10SI Alternator (63 amp)
         Chevy Camaro 350 with AC
         Buick Regal 4.9L (301W) with AC
         Pontiac Grand Prix 5.7L (350R) with AC and HBL

12SI Alternator (94 amp)
        Chevy Camaro HiPo 5.0L (305G) 94amp
        Buick Riviera 5.0L (307 engine) with HD options and AC

12SI Alternator (78 amp)
        Pontiac Firebird 5.0L (305H) no AC, HBL only.
         Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 5.0L “

There seems to have been a lot written about this over the years.  Derek has an article on the 3B Page with some good information:

https://cj3b.info/Alternator.html

I can't imagine any information you dug up, in previous posts, on older vehicles would have changed - from the perspective of compatibility.  Certainly a "take off" from a salvage yard would be cheaper than a "new" replacement from a parts store - if it works.

Title: Re: Which alternator (revised post)
Post by: Mytwojeeps2020 on December 19, 2020, 08:24:26 AM

Thanks, Rus. I already had Derek’s article linked to my homepage. I just wondered if there was anything new.

All best, and Happy Holidays!

Title: Re: Which alternator (revised post)
Post by: squidtone on December 19, 2020, 10:32:40 PM

I might have gotten some of that info from this link here:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/delcoremy.shtml (http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/delcoremy.shtml)

Almost at the end of that webpage is some example vehicles and what alternator they had.

There is also a chart with the Lester numbers. This is a parts numbering system that most of the auto parts places use to categorize alternator numbers. And if you find one that is clocked wrong for your application, you can remove the 4 long screws and clock it yourself.

When I was in the market for an alternator, I scanned a local swapmeet and didn't find one (doesn't seem possible but there you go). So I found a sale at a Pepboys and got a rebuilt 12SI from them for $39 dollars. That was about 5 years ago I guess. It's been great so far. Not sure rebuilds can be had that cheap anymore, but maybe not too much more?
Good luck!
Dave (squidtone)