what all are the advantages of upgrading from a generator to an alternator?

thanks
floyd r.

After going to the trouble to make brackets and install a Delco 10si alternator, I wish I had investigated installing it on the left side of the engine. The heat from the exhaust is not the best thing to have so close.

Curt;

I don't disagree that there is more heat on that side because of the exhaust, but if the factory had no issue locating OE generators and alternators there (BOTH of which have their cooling air intake at the rear, facing the exhaust and exiting at the centrifugal impeller under the pulley), I have little need to second guess them.

...but if you feel strongly about it, you could conceivably manufacture a ductwork and direct cool air from elsewhere into the intake...

Cheers

Floyd;

This has come up before so dont hold it against me if I don't write everything again...there are a number of advantages and a number of improvements associated with a conversion to alt...bottom line is that it often turns a vehicle with marginal electrical performance and reliability into one which always starts (because the battery is always nice and charged), has nice bright headlights and a wiper which moves with authority (due to the solid system voltage), and one which can be relied upon...often a night and day difference...

See: http://www.sw-em.com/gen_alt_diffs.htm

Cheers

as others mentioned but.....if our charging system is working keep it for now. When it stops working you can trouble shoot it for hours... buy regulators new bushes etc....fiddle with the points on the regulator...still have charging problems...change in an "Kown Good but used" generator...still no charge? hmmm. maybe it's the hmmmmm?. Or... just tear it out drop in an ac delco and fogedabowdit.
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Patrick, '68 220, '92 Eurovan (work truck) '53 PD4104 (conversion).

I agree, having 100 amps to play with makes life much simpler.

has any manufacture used a generator since the 50's. an alt. is lighter cheaper to build and produces more voltage and amps at lower rpms and has models that can produce 100amps when needed. a generators current output is dependent on rpm. to run accesssories you need current. if you have the heater blower and the headlights on at a traffic light you may be discharginging your battery. hit the directionals or wipers and you have a neg. output. there is no good reason to run a gen. even if you are cheap.

Easier to replace when/if something fails, easier to troubleshoot without the voltage regulator, parts are available from pretty much any parts store and inexpensive, no more amp light coming on when you are using electrical accessories, no more dimming lights when using the heat.

It's a pretty painless upgrade if you have basic mechanical and electrical skills.

Now that that is settled I thought you might like a lead on where to pick up an official Delco remaned alternator.

After much searching I found this place-RBA Parts P.O. Box 309 Soddy Daisy, Tenn 37384 sales@rbaparts.com. They are an authorized Delco Remanufacturer. I chose an alternator that would normally fit a 1978 Corvette, I figured what the hell, besides the wiring was in the correct "clock" location and it came with the right sized pulley. Their price $56.62 plus $7.00 core charge plus $16.15 shipping to Connecticut. I didn't have a core and even if I did the return shipping charge would have exceeded $7.00.

The alternator was shipped instantly and came in a Delco box all nice and shiny. Add to that one of Ron Kwas' alternator brackets and you are all set.

I used one of Ron's brackets plus a remanufactured Delco unit from my local Advance Auto Parts. I think it was ~$70.

Asking for an alternator for a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix, with a 350 engine, A/C and rear window defroster will successfully pull up one of the "alternate" units recommended in Ron's instructions. Can't remember if it is the 10si or 12si, but I think it's one of the 60 amp units, and it is "clocked" correctly with the wiring exiting in the proper place.

I went cheap on an alternator through Checker/O'Reillys. After a broken case and an alternator that would not charge the battery, I went through an Auto Electric store that specializes in rebuilding alternators, generators, starters, etc. It was rated at 92 amps and I have not had any problems. Had it on a few cars through the years.

.02

"Asking for an alternator for a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix, with a 350 engine, A/C and rear window defroster will successfully pull up one of the "alternate" units recommended in Ron's instructions."

Where can I find Ron's instructions? I'd like to swap out the generator soon too.

thanks for all the info and advice. sounds like an alternator is the way to go. is ron kwas affiliated with swedish embassy?

also, i remember reading somewhere that an alternator produces a hotter spark. is that so? and if so, does that have any effect on how the engine runs?

thanks
floyd r.

"is ron kwas affiliated with swedish embassy?"

He lives there........

Spark/ignition relies on the battery, the alternator just does a better job of keeping it topped up when its working hard.

with gen i had the old lights (yellow bright) i put in a AC delco changed to Cibie Valeo 7" lights w/halogen hi/lo beams and a new world appeared at night time, now i can see the road far away and BRIGHT LITES!!!