NEWS PARTS JEEP & 4x4 ATV & UTV

Electrical Magic

459 Views 7 Replies 2 Participants Last post by **DONOTDELETE**, Dec 4, 1999

jfralph

Discussion Starter · Dec 3, 1999

With a substantial amount of the stock electrical accesories on today, my alternator started squeeling like a stuck pig above 1500 rpm. Turn off the lights and it quits. Is this the sign of a bad bearing. I believe it is the Delco 63 amp stock unit for a 1986 cj7 with 4.2. I would like to upgrade to something substantially larger to keep WARN happy. Is there a stock GM unit that I can just swap? Or can the guts be put into mine? Or, as the auto parts store man showed me, a kit that he claims will bump the amperage up to the 80 - 100 amp range. Is he smoking something? The kit contains a new bearing, brushes, contacts, and some small miscellaneous parts for about $13. What do you think?

Enjoying Montana's Big Sky (& rocks & rivers & mountians etc, You get the picture.)

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· #2 · Dec 3, 1999

It has been about a year since I put my time in working at a auto parts store, but I believe that that Delco alternator is available in
40amp, 60amp, and 90amp. I am positve about the 60 and 90, as I have both sitting on my garage floor in my left over parts pile.
One thing you will have to check out on the Delco alternator is how the alternator is clocked. This really only effects how the wires
hook up, but can be a pain if you have short wires, and if you are reluctant to lengthen your wires. You can however unscrew the
back four bolts and turn the back case, but either ask the parts guy to do it or don't tell him if you have warrenty problem.
Good Luck,
Ethan

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jfralph

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 3, 1999

The auto parts store had a 103 amp for a caddy, the guy didn't seem to willing to go further however. I need to do something soon. Any help is appreciated!

Enjoying Montana's Big Sky (& rocks & rivers & mountians etc, You get the picture.)

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· #4 · Dec 3, 1999

Now that you mention it, I do remember that comming up as a option on a couple of big vehicles, but we never had it stock. I am
sure though that that is about as high as you will get in that type of alternator unless you go to a performance alternator company
like PowerMaster, or some of those alternators for onboard welding setups. I think you said you had a winch, and I am not really
familiar with what would be the correct amount of amps for that. You might try asking some the guys about how big an alternator
they run. By the way I got my 140amp alternator from PowerMaster for $140 I believe.
Good Luck,
Ethan

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· #5 · Dec 3, 1999

I have the exact same alternator and found a 105 amp upgrade kit from Summit Racing. It didn't have new bearings, but your local parts house should have them and they are a cinch to replace.

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· #6 · Dec 3, 1999

I just put in a 100Amp unit...its a Delco unit. FYI....just changing a few parts will not give you a reliable unit....the windings can't handle the long term duty. There is a Alternator shop around the corner from me. To make the 63A unit a 100A unit, he sends the unit out to be re-wound. He then adds the other heavy duty components.....In my case it only cost me $65. Try to avoid the DIY in this area.

John......southern CA
84CJ7,3"lift,32"BFG,4.11's,ARB,Solid Axle's

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CJ7Taz

· #7 · Dec 3, 1999

First back to the original post, tighten the belt. When you put a big load on the alternator it doesn't want
to turn as easily and squeals the belt. Might be something else, but if it's just the belt, you will be able
to drive at night again.

For your new alternator, find one for a GM car with with the rear window defroster. I think you can get up
to about 140amps. You might look for one in a salvage yard or find a rebuilder in your area that will take
yours for the core. Don't waste your money on the upgrade kit. I've been and electrician for more years
than I care to count and also have an electrical engineering degree. As a hobby, I study magic and can
do about anything David Copperfield can. I can tell you there is no electrical magic for your old aternator.

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· #8 · Dec 4, 1999

I did almost the same thing as DDawg16, I replaced the stock unit with a 100amp Delco for about $70 from my local autoparts store. I run a Ramsey 9000 lb winch and electric fan. I can run the winch under load with the fan and my headlights and wipers without any problems. Just my $.02

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