Stormin' Norman
11-08-2008, 02:26 PM
All the Fairmont books talk about 70 AMP and 90 AMP alternators. The 90 AMP units are the larger ones with the top-mounted connector.
When I swapped the Mexican 302 out for this 200 (3.3L) freshly rebuilt Six, I switched to this 90 AMP unit. Got a new regulator. Took 2 years to restore the car and finally drove it with confidence on November 5, this week. For almost a month, I had to get a boost to start the car after every 6 starts. New Starter, New Solenoid. Then I got a break and had the Alternator tested - perfect. The battery - perfect. The regulator - dud!!!
They sold me a new one. Installed it, but the starter motor would only engage once in a while. Pulled the starter. Normal ring gear wear. Opened the regulator box and there was a little note. DO NOT USE ON ALTERNATORS over 90 AMPS or cars with digital dashes. WHAT?!?
I go back and get the right regulator, and all is well. Starter engages, my halogen H4's light up nice and bright. God is good.
It seems that the rebuild shop gave the previous owner of the donor car, a slightly better alternator. The underpowered regulator that I installed was new (from a good Fairmont buddy) in the box. Don't know if it fryed before I bought another underpowered one or not, but I suspect so. But this new one works for the whole range from 70 to 200 AMP lincoln units.
Part number F540SLD
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Electrical/voltage_regulators.htm
Tech specs:
http://www.transpo.de/cgi-win/product.exe?F540E
http://www.hudian.com/english/about/regulator/23.htm
Some of those have adjusters for the higher output alternators on trucks.
My halogens have no relays on them yet, but what a difference already! :)
When I swapped the Mexican 302 out for this 200 (3.3L) freshly rebuilt Six, I switched to this 90 AMP unit. Got a new regulator. Took 2 years to restore the car and finally drove it with confidence on November 5, this week. For almost a month, I had to get a boost to start the car after every 6 starts. New Starter, New Solenoid. Then I got a break and had the Alternator tested - perfect. The battery - perfect. The regulator - dud!!!
They sold me a new one. Installed it, but the starter motor would only engage once in a while. Pulled the starter. Normal ring gear wear. Opened the regulator box and there was a little note. DO NOT USE ON ALTERNATORS over 90 AMPS or cars with digital dashes. WHAT?!?
I go back and get the right regulator, and all is well. Starter engages, my halogen H4's light up nice and bright. God is good.
It seems that the rebuild shop gave the previous owner of the donor car, a slightly better alternator. The underpowered regulator that I installed was new (from a good Fairmont buddy) in the box. Don't know if it fryed before I bought another underpowered one or not, but I suspect so. But this new one works for the whole range from 70 to 200 AMP lincoln units.
Part number F540SLD
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Electrical/voltage_regulators.htm
Tech specs:
http://www.transpo.de/cgi-win/product.exe?F540E
http://www.hudian.com/english/about/regulator/23.htm
Some of those have adjusters for the higher output alternators on trucks.
My halogens have no relays on them yet, but what a difference already! :)