I switched over to an alternator on my '66 122 - using the fabulous SWEM kit - several months ago. The one piece of advise that I didn't heed was to not buy the cheapest AC Delco type alternator I could find ... I bought one for $45 at the local auto parts super store. Everything seem to work okay for a couple months. For a while now, the alternator has been making quite a racket & the alternator pulley/fan looks to be wobbly - but everything seemed to still work & it has been awfully cold & wet & dark to be swapping out the alternator, so I just let it slide.

Today, when driving home at night - in a cold rain with wipers & fan going, the headlights seemed quite dim & then, when I switched into overdrive, the radio cut out momentarily. The amp light, however, never came on.

As I understand it, the amp light will light up if there is a difference between the voltage produced by the alternator and the voltage of the battery charge. So, my WAG (wild ass guess) is that the alternator is not producing enough amperage which caused the problems I expereinced tonight.

Am I understanding the situation somewhat correctly? Are excessive noise & low output consistent symptoms of a faulty alternator ?

I realize that this is probably overly simple question, but I am trying to learn as best I can how to keep this thing going.

thanks for the continuing education

timbert