Parasitic Battery Drain!

[tjc78]

Is this before or after the new alternator plug. What voltage do you get at the battery terminals while car is running? It should be around 14 volts. I would also turn on the lights, fan, etc and take a reading it shouldn't drop too much.

[gadget73]

I don't have any grinding tools. Wouldn't it be easier to swap out the original bracket for a 3G one as well? The current one is actually cracked (and poorly welded back together) so I'd be replacing that anyways.

There is no 3g bracket for the car. You don't have to grind anything. I stuck mine on in someone's driveway with Scott's advice and just basic hand tools. Its a bitch getting the belt on, but if you slip the belt on before putting the lower bolt in, you get enough extra room to get it in and out of there without any added BS. I had the advantage of using a belt that was already stretched out too. A new stock size belt would be a real bitch to get on, which is why you'll frequently see it said you need another 1/2" of length on the belt to make it fit.

[L1011tristar17]

I haven't really tested anything after the new alternator plug. I parked my car overnight with the battery connected and it was just fine this morning and was draining only 19 milliamps. The old plug smells pretty burnt so it might have been shorting something.

Gadget, do salvage yards typically warranty the 3G alternators? Or should I buy the alternator from somewhere else?

[gadget73]

depends on the yard. Some do, some don't. If they do, just drag it to a parts store that can test alternators for free and make sure it works. If not, go back and exchange it.

[sly]

the only warranty I've ever seen from a yard is not DOA/POS or 10-15 days tops... and gadget is right about not having to grind the bracket smooth on the water pump side of the channel the alternator rests in, but it helps with getting the belt on and off by not having to remove that lower bolt.

[gadget73]

yeah, not DOA is as close to a warranty as you can expect on used parts. There isn't much in an alternator though, and if you've got a little patience you can rebuild one easy enough as long as the rectifiers aren't shot. Its basically 2 bearings and a brush, all of which are cake to replace. I think I'm going to start rebuilding my own. The reman jobs have been spotty at best for me, so I think the next time I get a squeaky bearing I'll just replace it and keep going.

[L1011tristar17]

Alright, I'll probably make the plunge and get the new alternator sometime this winter (it shouldn't get too cold where I live.) What parts and tools should I have ready to use? From what I know, I can get the 3G alternator from a mid-90's Taurus or Thunderbird, right?

[miamibob]

If you can afford a new QUALITY one I'd go that way. I am sure others have had good luck but to me it is just too important of a part to mess with. Just my humble opinion....Bobby

[sly]

early 90s 5.0L t-birds, 3.0L taurus/windstar, 5.0L mustangs from 92?-95, and a few other odds and ends out there. You'll also need a new charge cable and 175A megafuse. I forget what truck is the easy steal for this... and it may be the windstars as well... but I'm not sure. The two wires used for the charge circuit (black/orange) are not capable of handling the higher current alternator and will blow the fuse link if you're lucky... melt the wires if not. I just used two battery cables bolted to a megafuse for one charge cable. The other one was nicely done and routed and used a fuse holder.

as for tools: socket set, wire strippers, soldering iron, shrink tube or electrical tape.

[L1011tristar17]

What should I do for the stator and regulator plugs? I'm guessing that I can find them in parts stores still.

[miamibob]

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Ford.html

Should be helpful.....Bobby

[miamibob]

Or......

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/3ag/3ag.htm

[Piece-it pete]

I got my wire with fuse & holder from a 98 or 99 F150, and bought a 32" extension from the parts store, worked well. You can walk the belt on.

Pete

[sly]

the plugs should come on the alternator if you get it from a yard.

[L1011tristar17]

Alright, looking at the tutorials makes it seem a lot easier now. I can't wait to get to work on this! I did have another question though regarding the small and large case 3G alternators: Is there an advantage to getting the large case 3G? The sites say that the large case needs a certain alternator bracket for it. I'm just wondering if it's worth the extra searching.