66 Thunderbird Starting Issues

[Mscharfie]

Alternator

I believe the alternator was replaced with the car when it was rebuilt in 2003. It looks relatively new due to a lack of rust. Do you think that a bad ground could be the problem? If not I will pick up an alternator and voltage regulator tomorrow from pep boys.

Thanks again,
Mike

[simplyconnected]

If you can fabricate, I suggest you visit your local bone yard and pick up an alternator from a car or truck with an electric fan. An 'Auto-Electric' rebuild shop will change the pulleys for ten bucks. They bend over backwards and love to see classic car guys come in for help.

Unless you appreciate 'pure stock', spending a lot of money on light-duty parts doesn't make sense. New alternators already have a voltage regulator inside and they put out over 100-amps. That gives you the future option of using an electric fan on your T-bird. That's exactly what I did on our '59 Galaxie. - Dave

[Mscharfie]

Alternator

Hello again, I just bought and attempted to hook up the new alternator. I attached the three wires and tightened everything down. Then I attached the battery and suddenly the alternator started to smoke. If the voltage regulator was a part of the alternator what could be causing this?

Sorry for the trouble,
Mike

[KULTULZ]

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_1112_how_to_troubleshoot_your_charging_system/

[KULTULZ]

You have a 66 BIRD with an internally regulated ALT? It should be externally regulated.

If someone has swapped alternator type, suspect they didn't upgrade the charging harness properly.

Can you provide photos?

[jopizz]

Maybe you misunderstood what Dave was trying to tell you. Modern car alternators have the voltage regulator inside it. He was just recommending that as an upgrade but that would require a complete rewiring of your system. Your original alternator has a separate voltage regulator on the driver side firewall. I would replace that if your new alternator is smoking too.

John

[Mscharfie]

Alternator pictures

Here is a picture of the original alternator before I took it out. Would you like pictures of anything in particular?

http://imgur.com/ruBjB

[jopizz]

Looks like a standard 60's-70's Ford alternator with an external voltage regulator.

John

[Mscharfie]

Alternator

That's good news, I will follow the procedure in the link you provided. I will update later tonight on my progress.

Thanks for the help,
Mike