MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
3 Wire Alternator
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: June 28, 2010 08:01PM

I know I'm showing my ignorance again, but here go's. Remember I said a friend gave me an almost brand new Delco 3-Wire? I saw him Saturday and mentioned it was a 3-Wire and he said "It is, I didn't know that! I guess you [meaning me] need a voltage regulator then." As I'm a 1-Wire guy, my reply was "DUH, I don't know, I don't think so" so I'm asking you fine automotive experts on this here site.

"P"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2010 08:02PM by pspeaks.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: 3 Wire Alternator
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: June 29, 2010 09:25AM

Probably not but it depends on exactly what you have.

JB


Bill Young
Bill Young
Kansas City, MO
(1337 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:23AM

Main British Car:
'73 MG Midget V6 , '59 MGA I6 2.8 GM, 4.0 Jeep

authors avatar
Re: 3 Wire Alternator
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: June 29, 2010 01:30PM

Paul, I'm certainly no expert, but I've never run across a GM alternator that required a seperate regulator. All I've seen clear back to the late 60s had a built in regulator. I'm at work now so don't have my wiring manual around but I'll look up the hook up of the GM three wire at home tonight.
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pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: 3 Wire Alternator
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: June 29, 2010 04:45PM

Thanks guys, I didn't think so either, but I've been wrong so much lately, well, you know, better safe than sorry.

"P"


Bill Young
Bill Young
Kansas City, MO
(1337 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 09:23AM

Main British Car:
'73 MG Midget V6 , '59 MGA I6 2.8 GM, 4.0 Jeep

authors avatar
Re: 3 Wire Alternator
Posted by: Bill Young
Date: June 30, 2010 09:06AM

Paul, did some research in my old Haynes manual for my Camaro and at least from 82 to 92 those alternators had a built in regulator, part of the internal diode pack along with the rectifiers. From what I can tell the wires are for the main output to the battery, a sense line that drives the charge indicator lamp on the dash and a +12 line (switched I believe) that activates the field circuit.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: 3 Wire Alternator
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: June 30, 2010 05:15PM

"All I've seen clear back to the late 60s had a built in regulator"

Bill, my '68 Camaro came stock with a separate regulator & alternator. That has since been rectified. ;)


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