altenator / generator

ive got a 225 v6, i need to switch out the altenator but some one told me that if i have a generator i cant switch it with a new altenator. is this true ?, and how do i tell if it is an altenator or a generator? Also, if it is a generator what do i need to do to put an actual atenator in there?

 

Most all GM motors (which the 225 v6 is) had alternators beginning in the 1963 model year. Being that the 225 v6 did not exist until 1964, i *think* it is safe to assume that the 225 never came stock with a generator whether it was in a buick or jeep - it would have come with an alternator.

See this link for a quick visual ID of an alternator versus a generator.
http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/GmAlternatorIdentification.htm

 

that pic was exacly what i was looking for..... thanks. any pros or cons on switching to a one wire altenator?

 

cons: no remote voltage sensing, no idiot light, more expensive, less availibility, will not work as well as a traditional 3 wire hookup.

pros: SLIGHTLY easier to hook up.

read about it here:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

 

i'd definatly be lost without an idiot light

 

I am one of those guys who reads every detail of the instruction booklet before installing. Therefore, I did a search on this forum and found weeks worth of reading material to switch my orginal out. This was my first upgrade just a couple of months ago! Go for it!!

 

i had a delco 12si rebuilt from spare/new parts at a local auto electric for about $49 with no core charge. they even rebuilt it to output about 69amps.

i used a three wire for the reasons above but also because a one wire doesn't put out as much amperage at idle and low rpms.

fwiw

 

My alternater just keeled over two weeks ago and I had to replace it. My recomendation: draw a picture of the back of the alternater and label where what color wires went where. I would be a pain to track down all the wires to find out where they go if you forgot between disconnect and hook-up. It took me about 5 minutes to rewire my 3 wire with the picture I drew.
(this is assuming your wires were in the right place to begin with)