generator to alternator conversion for a 1970 Chevelle

Hello Everyone,:)

I am trying to find out how to make the conversion from using the old generator to using a alternator on my husbands 1970 Chevelle.

I am totally new at all this. But I really need some good advice.

Thank You,

Wife_of_a_chevelle_lover

You will need an alternater and brackets. You have to change the wiring. From the alt. + battery terminal to either the battery + or starter + battery cable (10 guage). And from the F or field terminal to the ignition switch on the run side (16 guage).

FWIW, a 1970 Chevelle should already have an alternator instead of a generator. Generators were about gone from most GM vehicles in 1965, and all by 1967. I'm guessing that you are asking about changing from the externally regulated type alternator found on the 1970 Chevelle to a newer style (internally, electronically regulated) alternator.

If that's the case, you will want to disconnect the regulator on the radiator support and connect the brown wire from Terminal 4 on the old regulator to the "B" terminal of the new alternator and add a resistor as indicated to make the "GEN" lamp on the dash functional. A 5W wirewound resistor should be sufficient for the lamp circuit. There should be a white wire at the old alternator which would not be used with the newer style, and that wire also (conveniently) connects to the old regulator. That wire can be used to complete the circuit for the alternator telltale warning lamp.

Perform the rest of the connections as indicate in the following diagram - The red power wire to the alternator output stud and a second battery wire (or jumper) to the "A" terminal on the new alternator.

http://72.19.213.157/files/ChargingSystemDiagrams.jpg