There is no question about the fact that the technology in the modern one wire alternator/regulator design is a vast improvement over the original separate device design and the electromechanical regulator. In fact any alternator is an enormous improvement over the old generators, in all but one respect (the ability to generate electricity even with no battery at all). However, I like to keep my cars all original, just because it adds to the challenge, I guess. Also, if one of my pre-alternator cars won't start due to a totally dead battery, I can always roll it down my driveway and get it going. Even the automatic cars can be started this way, if they were built before the bean counters decided to remove the rear pump (in 1965 or so). But, where authenticity is not an issue, I too have the one wire alternator - for instance in my 52 Ford tow truck, which has a Chevy 409 engine! (No, I didn't do it, I got it that way). The charging system is wonderful, as you say, and if I were designing a charging system today, that is what I would use also. But since you mention, I do rebuild my own generators, alternators and even the occasional regulator, when I have to - I like the challenge, and I'm also the most frugal old car guy you'll ever come across - I enjoy cheating the vendors out of their profit! I also do my own water pumps, power steering pumps, carburetors, starters, distributors, transmissions, engine - you name it - because that is what I enjoy doing, and it keeps me from hanging out at the bars all day! Most of the parts in our old cars are amazingly simple and easy to fix and rebuild, and the parts you need are on the shelf at any NAPA store for most of them - it ain't rocket science! Dick Benjamin -----Original Message----- From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Pittinaro Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 5:33 PM To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: IML: more on alternators > add anything. I have not > actually had the pleasure of fixing one of the later > design alternators yet, > but I have filed your excellent description for my > own use, when the need arises. What's that phrase, "Praise from Caesar"? Dick, I didn't think you had ever even worked on an alternator. Figured they were too new-fangled for you. Doesn't one of those Packards have a vacuum tube regulator? I'll bet you could design one! I personally have become a sold-on fan of the newer, one-wire alternators. I installed a 100 amp, Delco-style model on my '67 volvo in place of its 30 amp generator and was stunned at the improvement. No more flickering AMP light. No more varying-brightness headlights. No more static in the AM radio. No more bird's nest of wiring under the hood to the decrepit Bosche regulator and that boat-anchor of a gennie. Cost? About $70 for the alternator. Time? About 2 hours, and a custom-fabricated bracket. Hookup? One 4 gauge wire from the alternator to the battery. That's it. The alternator self-grounds to the engine (make sure your engine-body strap is in good shape!) --Mike Pittinaro 'To Engineer' was never meant to signify poking around with a mouse on a Nintendo-on-steroids computer system. 'It's a shallow life that doesn't give a person a few scars' -- Garrison Keillor __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm