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Seen a lot of posts singing the praises of ditching the external regulator on stock vehicles (no engine swap). However, none of them tell you how to do it. Which model do you get at say, Autozone. How do you wire it? What do you do with the 6 wires going in/out of the current voltage regulator. Are any special brackets needed to fit the alternator??

Anyone who can point me out to a definitive DIY on this would be my hero.

Thanks

Here's how to wire the older 3 wire system Delco unit


The only wire you need from the stock voltage regulator connector is the white /red stripe wire. The rest of them can be removed completely back to any splices, ground and such.
You'll need to fab up your own mount brackets though.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

Keep in mind to use a 65 amp or better alternator for the charging system conversion. The upgrade only benefits if you use a stronger alternator.
The reason to why the Batt+ wire from the stock alternator is used at the GM 2 wire connector is because the wire gage sizes are the same and it has the same power feed as any GM vehicle. By running a new 8 gage Batt+ wire, the larger gage wire can handle the electrical load better.
If the dash light bulb burns out, the system will not charge. But this isn't a cronic problem at all. I've never had to replace a charge light bulb in the 20 years of running this wiring. This is just a "heads up" on what happens if the bulb does go bad.
As long as the stock fuse links are still on the stock wiring harness, the stock wiring is protected and no other fuse links are needed for the conversion.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

[quote="Blue Meanie"]Here's how to wire the older 3 wire system Delco unit


Hey Meanie, the picture isn't working.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

If you're getting a red X, i cant tell you why that is. If you see a small, grainy pic, just click on the pic and it should go to full size.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

Thanks all. Great info...

now, which model # alternator will fit with the least hassle?

does anyone have a pic of an install?

It magically started to work! I printed it, and someday I might try it. I hope it works, cuz you and I are two Johns, and I think of you as a friend. LOL

It's a clear diagram too.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

More is better to a point. Don't go with too big (AMP) alternator unless you have a big audio system and some big amps. Bigger alt needs a bigger (more)battery and wires if you go too big. Capacitators and more may be needed.

Richard

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.