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Installing bigger altenator in a sierra. help wanted
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:10 pm
by built4thrashing
My altenator died the other weekend from worn out bearings and stuffed brushes so it wastime to put in a bigger amp replacement.
I bought an EF/EL Ford Fairmont / Fairlane 6cly one from a wreckers for $88. It puts out 110amp (sierra alt is only 40/45 amp)
The differences between the two are
The ford is bigger in size
it has a multi groove pulley
and only has a 2 wire plug that different to the sierra one
it will fit the factory bracket but needs the pulley changed.
i have a few questions for anyone thats done this swap. what pulley did you use and what wires go to where.
will try to get some pics so others can see how easy this is to do.
Chow B4T
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:25 pm
by nicbeer
Pics/writeup would be super.
Can you swap the pully off the sierra onto it? otherwise look for any pulley similar size for same brand alternator. should be the same i am guessing. Maybe an old xf or older falcon.
Wires:
Zook has 3 - one to batt direct, one to light on dash i believe, one to switch circuit.
Nic
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:27 pm
by christover1
Its fairly easy to change to multi v pulleys on the Sierra 1.3.
The crank pulley is bolt on, and so is the waterpump, from Swift/Barinas.
If that makes future alternator choices or fitting the alt easier.
I did this to mine, because I had the bits from an import engine that died, and it made fitting Vitara power steering much easier.
Just a thought.
Swift alternators are sometimes higher ouput, but no where near 110.
Sorry I know nothing of your actual question
christover
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:51 pm
by built4thrashing
ok wire to battery is the one that bolts on?
what color are the others and wha do they do?
thanx
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:26 pm
by Pinball
write up to be found...
http://www.pointnshoot.org/modules.php? ... =0&thold=0
i used an 85A unit but should be similar....
take the voltage sensing wire straight back to the output of the alternator, unless u got the efi system to hook it into.
I swapped the sierra two part pulley on, with a little stuffing around, in retrospect i prob'ly didn't need to space the pulley, just let friction hold it to the fan.
Spock
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:25 pm
by gwarness
I'm putting a big bosch unit in my zook. It looks similiar to the ones out of commodores but I'm not too sure. It bolts straight in, has the same number of wire outlets (I think). So all I have to do is change the pulley. I'm not too sure about the amp output, but I'm guessing it would be a lot more than the pussy little thing from the zook. I'll let you know how I go, I'll be doing the conversion hopefully very shortly.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:38 pm
by nicbeer
Gwarness > Have you got a part number on top of the unit.
Nic
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:58 pm
by josh9465
hey b4t
have you found out what wire goes where. i too know the big one goes to the battery. theres two wires left.
i think the white/red is the check battery light. but which plug in the EL alternator does it go. theres one on top and bottom (on the EL alt if u look from on top of the unit.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:15 pm
by built4thrashing
worked late tonight so was too dark to do anything. prob wont get to it untill the weekend.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:46 pm
by bushpig59
gwarness wrote:I'm putting a big bosch unit in my zook. It looks similiar to the ones out of commodores but I'm not too sure. It bolts straight in, has the same number of wire outlets (I think). So all I have to do is change the pulley. I'm not too sure about the amp output, but I'm guessing it would be a lot more than the pussy little thing from the zook. I'll let you know how I go, I'll be doing the conversion hopefully very shortly.
As I say to my missus Plenty of Pictures please before during and after...
That way we all learn ps if out my way I'll shout you a beer too.....
Good luck with your wiring and pulley.
cheers
john
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:27 pm
by Pat Murray
Don't forget to uprate the fusible link. When I installed A EL Falcon unit, I uprated from 25 amperes to 50 amperes to accommodate the increased charging rate. The electronic regulator in the Falcon alternator is very good too, manages big loads with ease.
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:54 pm
by built4thrashing
have looked at existing wiring plug for alt and there is a white wire with a red trace and a black wire with a white trace.
does anyone know what each wire is for?
thanx
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:15 pm
by nicbeer
Look in the FSM.
One goes to the alt fail light.
other is pos to ignition.
Nic
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:35 pm
by built4thrashing
conversion is done. all works well but not sure if wires ate correct. even tho charge light is off. will do a full description with pics soon
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:58 pm
by nicbeer
If u still have your orig alternator around can you measure the distance between the bolt hangers on it?
I found a anternator (bosch but dont have a spare alt to check .
Cheers
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:22 pm
by josh9465
ive just changed my alt to a 60amp EB
65mm inside to inside from the bottom mount.
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:46 pm
by mike
Just got a new Alternator- 60 Amp Unipoint. Completely bolt in same plug pack etc product code ALT-5021
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:04 pm
by built4thrashing
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:36 pm
by gwarness
Gwarness > Have you got a part number on top of the unit.
Hey sorry, I've forgotten to look at this thread for awhile. I'll dig up the alternator and see what I can find for you. Sorry once again for the late reply.
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:37 pm
by gwarness
ach....computers!! Sorry, stuffed up that last posting, but you get the idea anyway.
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:49 pm
by gwarness
Also, I've just been talking to the oldman about the alternator. It's just been sitting at his work, and he keeps forgetting about it. I think he said he's bolting on a Holden pulley. I told him to get me the part numbers and such. So hopefully he'll pull his finger out and we'll get this done, seeing as it's a simple job that will take a few minutes. I'll let you all know soon enough, hopefully. I'll also take pics and post up some info to help you, if it works, which I hope.
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:05 pm
by gwarness
Hey does anyone know how much power the stock alt spits out? Yesterday we fitted the new alt, but we're still in the stage of trial and error. I wrote down the numbers from it before, but I've misplaced the piece of paper somewhere so I'll try and find it shortly.
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:45 pm
by built4thrashing
stock alt is 40amps