The amp light in my 60 Savoy daily driver is coming on. The generator is putting out a little more than 13 volts, a little weak, but still alright, so I reckon it's the voltage regulator. A voltage regulator for the generator setup is $45, according to Mr Autozone. For about $10 more, I could buy an alternator and the corresponding voltage regulator.

If I go for the alternator setup, should I get one from a 60, or later? According to the mymopar.com voltage reg guide, in 1970 they switched from a mechanical voltage reg to an electronic one, so which of those should I go for?

Thoughts? Will I have to do any rewiring, or will the wires be the same from a generator to an alternator?

Thanks.

With the old fashioned point style regulators, you can usually clean the points, then set the correct air gaps, then finally adjust the spring tensions to get the voltage you want....................


The service manual should have the specs for the regulator adjustment

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

The alternator swap will require the alternator, the regulator, the brackets (not at all the same as the generator brackets) and some wiring effort. The '70-up dual-field setup with electronic regulator is better than the '60-'69 single-field setup with any regulator. Compare costs like-to-like; if you buy a "remanufactured" alternator from a parts store, system dependability will usually go down, not up.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Would I be better off w/ a junkyard alternator? Or, I found two in the trunk of my valiant, they're pretty crusty looking, but I could get them tested.

Also, would it be alright to go above a 50 amp system, or don't I need to anyways? (one of these days I'd like to get a stereo for the old girl)

You'd be much better off spending the $119 for a brand-new one. They go by frequently on eBay. I'm on a slow dial-up connection in Fargo, ND right now (visiting family) but when I get back to my high speed I'll point you to some of the relevant auctions.
With careful, coördinated planning of the upgrade, you can do anything you like with the charging system. Throwing a high-amp alternator in the car without protecting the ammeter (search the board with search pattern diode AND shunt) will result in expensive damage.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Hey, I'm from Fargo.