Its me again.

[Bri guy]

Strongest battery that fits.

If you stick with a good battery that's around 600-650 CCA or more and 700 or more CA, you'll be just fine.

That alternator amperage depends on what all you got going on electrically. The standard 78A will do if you don't have wham-o-dyne electrical loads like huge speakers and sound system or other loads much greater than stock. Since it's a street car, don't get sucked into that one wire self-exciting alternator crap. You don't need it. It's an extra expense with no real upside since all your factory junk hooks up right at the moment. But you should have a 12SI alternator, so stick with that. Those are good'ns.

I dont plan on having big speakers in the car. It does have a small amp for interior speakers. Otherwise i dont have anything else that would need alot of power. I barely listen to the radio. But i do have 1 electrical fan right now. Not sure how well it works on hot days so i dont know if i need 2.....i could put the fan back on it now that my belt squeal should be gone....but its a heavy duty fan.....12sl alt and a good 600+ cca battery. I figured i would ask since this car isnt stock or like a new car.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Yeah make sure you actually get a 12si alternator, so many are actually a 10si with higher amperage jammed in an inferior case. Yeah, I always go 700+ CCA for a battery.

 

[Bri guy]

So whats the deal with the 1 wire compared to what i currently have? This alt seems like a decent price

 

[fleming442]

Most of the "one wire" alternators still have the 2 pin plug on the side under a rubber cap. A "one wire' alternator is the same as what you have, except you get to hope and pray that it turns on to charge instead of giving 12v to the excite wire.

 

[69hurstolds]

I'm not going to argue one way or another about one-wires, but unless you're rewiring a car or setting up a system for racecar use or something, there's no reason to mess with the factory charging setup. One wires are for lazy people. They've done 3 wires for like, a zillion years and there's some comfort knowing that your sh*t's reliable. If it's already there, why go without it? And you could get a 3 wire almost anywhere should you get stranded.

The main disadvantage I see is the remote sensing feature isn't available with one-wire systems. In other words, the alternator doesn't "adjust" for voltage drops further from the battery. So you may still have dim taillights or whatever with a one wire system. Just depends on how good and clean and large your wiring system is. Another possible disadvantage is the low-rpm NON-CHARGING you may experience. Not sure if they've fixed that on these newer one-wires or not, but I had one on my 71 442 many years ago and it sucked. You would have to rev the engine to get it to start charging. I wasn't impressed. Maybe they've fixed all that crap. I'm not sold on it.

Also, some one wires systems don't have the ability to turn on the generator warning light without buying a kit or whatever crap for it. I'm not an electrishun so fleming442 or one of these other wire-biters might know.

 

[Bri guy]

Ok. Seems like the 1 wires around town offer more amps and close to the same price as a 3 wire 60ish amps. That's why i was wondering what the difference is or if theyre worth it

 

[fleming442]

You glossed over what I was telling you: you can use a one wire as a 3 wire- just pull the rubber plug and plug in the excite wire.

 

[Bri guy]

before i replace the alt tomorrow can soneone verify that i didnt mix up the wires on the alt? Maybe i got them mixed up when i tried to move the alt. And the replacement plug i had was junk, wouldnt stay on so i put a connector on each wire. The way i have it is the White one goes from #2 white wire to the "power stud" to meet the power wire from the battery.....the #1 wire goes to the firewall.

 

[fleming442]

Dude, the plugs are $6. After all the money you pissed away on pulleys, you can afford it.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHVRC148?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5d6P2NKg6QIVu-y1Ch0cnwlcEAQYBiABEgLDj_D_BwE

 

[Bri guy]

I did buy a new plug. Put it on and was so loose on the alt. Tried to bend the prongs on the plug so it will stay on better but didnt work..... There was no way for the plug to stay on and not worry about it. so i figured it will stay on with the connectors