Hi All,

On my 60 elky, I would like to replace the generator and bring up to date with an alternator. I've met several others who have performed this conversion, but now, I have no of contacting them. I understand a little what needs to be done, but not much. I've been told to use a 1 wire alternator.

Has anyone here performed this conversion? Can you point me to some directions online? Is this process easy enough that perhaps (not in greate detail) but explain how the wiring needs to be rerouted?

I would appreciate as much help as possible?

Thanks
Taz

I did this conversion about a year ago on my 57 3100 pickup. It was so simple it was stupid. I removed the 235 inline 6 and dropped in a 327 out of a later pickup, which came equipped with an alternator. I bought a 1 wire alternator from the local parts house, and literally bolted it on and ran a 10 gauge wire to the battery (+). That's all there is to it. The gauge does read a constant discharge, have yet to take the time to figure that one out, but it does charge and run fine.

Devin

64 Camino 427/muncie
57 3100 327/granny 4

Devin, that sounds pretty simple. But my concern is what happens to the voltage regulator that is mounted on the next to the radiator and the wires that connect to it? Best I can remember, the guy I talk to a while back mentioned something about running another wire from the battery to the ignition switch in the car too?? I can't quite remember, hence why I seeking some help here?

Thanks
Taz

Taz- Your voltage regulator is no longer needed if you go to the 1 wire alternator. You can unbolt it and throw it in the trash. The wires that connect to it can be traced back and unhooked at their sources. I, too have heard of people running a wire to the ignition switch, but can find no reason to do so. I just went and checked the instructions in my wiring kit from Painless (rewired my Camino recently) for 1 wire alternators and the only wire they have coming off the alternator is the one to the battery. I chose to stay with an old style externally regulated alternator, just becuase I already had it.

Devin

Now if I couold just find a mounting bracket for the new alternator. My engine is a 1962 327 that have the factory "ram horn type" exhaust manifolds. The old generator mounted to these exaust. I'm assuming the new alternator will too, but curing the spacer problem is beginning to be a task. Hopefully, the junkyard will be of help this afternoon.

Can anyone provide some advise on how to mount this thing?

thanks
Taz

Taz- Your new alternator will mount up to the manifold. If your trip to the boneyard was successful, you have one in your hands by now. Several things do come to mind however. You said that this is a 1962 327 engine. Is it still a short style water pump? Need to make sure all the components match. In 1969 Chevy went to the long style water pump. The positioning of the alternator is affected by that too. I would asssume that you have the short style pump due to the fact that you still had a generator. You'll need to find a 64 to 68 Chevy car in the junkyard to get the proper mounts from. Also need to check your manifolds. Since this car didn't come with this engine, there may be clearance problems between the bottom of your exhaust manifolds and your crossmember.

Devin

Hi all,

Well, this past weekend, I finally got my alternator mounted up. I ended up going to a friends shop and having an alternator bracket made. The bracket is basically a "L" shape with slots on each side, this allows for adjustability. One side mounts up to my exhaust manifolds. Then I bought an "F" shape bracket (Spectra and Mr Gasket makes these), and mounted this bracket (F facing up) to the manafold bracket. Bought a new chrome alternator bracket arm and all mounts up great. The sliding flexibility of the slots in my manifold bracket is really what allowed everything to be adjusted in line with my belt.

Thanks
Taz