Stock alternator and q's on gauges

[haromaster87]

Hey guys,





I have a 1986 Mustang Gt and i've heard the stock alternator for these cars weren't so good. Are they worth replacing in a DD? Or will the stock one hold its own?



And i'm not sure how well some of my stock gauges work(mainly the status gauges, my tach and speedo work fine). How can I test them and if they don't work, how hard are they to fix?



Thanks,

Tony

[gdniel]

I would upgrade to atleast the taurue 95 amp, or even better the mustang 130 amp, 3.8 taurus 130 amp.

[AaronATX]

#1. Clean/check/redo ALL engine and harness grounds.
#2. The 65 (60?) amp alt that came stock on the 86gt is barely enough to keep up with the load that a stock mustang can ask of it (all electrical accessories on at once). If you are even considering a stereo of any kind ~ upgrade
#3. I've seen more than enough corroded/damaged plugs in the back of those old alt's cause fire. NOT COOL!.

You can get a 130amp alt from a j/y for 20$. You can make all the wiring you need to install it for less than 50$. There really is no reason not to.

As far as the gauge operation, well....some work ok, some dont. Redoing all engine/harness grounds has helped many foxes I have worked on when it comes to the guages "seeming" to work better. Then again if you are really interested in what your oil pressure/coolant temp ~ get some mechanical gauges. And the gas gauge....hah, I cant think of a single fox mustang i've ever worked on or been in that was even remotely accurate after 1/2 tank.

[Zephyr 351C]

I put a PA performance 3G on my 83 Futura and never had charging problems again. That alternator is on my truck now.

I took the JY route for mt Zephyr. I think I paid $25 for the 130amp Taurus alt, and I've got about $40 in the wiring.

With my JY alt, I had to tap the hole for the bolt. Its bigger than 3/8 so I used the tap that came with my Heli Coils to thread it, and installed the coil. Didnt have to drill it.

[v8only]

I just scored a 130 amp alternator today from a 94 v6 mustang. $22 later, and I'm well on my way to swapping it on.

[v8only]

it's kinda hard to test the water and oil gauges, as they don't have any #'s on them, so how do you know what is what?? Same with the amp gauge, no #'s. I suppose if they're in the normal range, you're good to go.

Personally, that wasn't good enough for me, and I swapped on a full sweep of gauges, autometer tach, oil pressure, water temp, and soon to come, an amp gauge

[negusm]

The stock amp gauge never works. Ever. I don't think they even worked from the factory.

-Mike

[v8only]

isn't that the truth!!!!!

[gdniel]

+1 mine always sat in the middle.

[haromaster87]

lol, Mine too! My cars battery is dead right now, as in I can't even use the radio, but the damn amp gauge still sits in the middle. I'm goin to get a new battery tmrw. The only gauge i'm really concerned about is my gas gauge. lol

[TuxStang]

My amp gauge works ... ir stopped few days after i bought the Pace Car ... then two weeks ago, i decided to use some electrical contact promoter (what you find to repair heated backlit) on the back of my instrument cluster ... now it works again.
The only problem with my gauges is that they all (except amp) move 1/8-1/4 sideway when i switch the lights on ... and not always ... but i think it'll be solved with a solid-state instrument voltage regulator.

[mmigora]

What kind of wiring changes do you have to make to use a 95 mustang 130 amp alternator?
Is this the 3G one?

[redroc]

I wouldn't put any faith in stock gauges. If you are really concerned buy some mechanical aftermarket ones.

[mfpmax]

The stock amp gauge never works. Ever. I don't think they even worked from the factory.

-Mike

Mine worked...

...and then so did the lights being dim :omg:

[TuxStang]

I wouldn't put any faith in stock gauges. If you are really concerned buy some mechanical aftermarket ones.electrical could be reliable enougth ... they can't be less than Ford's.

[haromaster87]

lol, Yeah, ima get new gauges eventually. Is it possible to put aftermarket gauges in the stock gauge spot as long as there the same size? As in I take out the stock ones and put aftermarkets in place. That can be done, right?

[TuxStang]

It has been done, either using the original cluster housing or with aftermarket plates ... it has been discused already here.

I plan to do this too one day.

[Jax Rhapsody]

How would you put digiguages in a carb car?

[haromaster87]

Too bad the 86's only came efi... ;)