What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Swapping out to a cs144 alt., need advice

Cornfield creations

Cornfield creations

1/2 ton status
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Posts
1,283
Reaction score
0
Location
Jasper, Indiana
I am a little confused on a couple things. My 79 blazer has the 60 amp alt w/ original brackets. I got the cs144 alt. for a 94 tran sport with rear air, which is the 140 amp.

I keep reading about the different setups. I ordered an original pigtail for the new alt, so I had something to start with. The what I am struggling with is I read that there is an ammeter that needs to be bypassed, by running a heavy gauge wire from the alt. to the starter? Also, if I make my own adaptor pigtail, which connections do the original brown/red wires go to?

The brackets I won't have an issue with. If I need to mod them I can, but it looks like they won't be too bad. Just the wiring is confusing me.
 
Ok, So as I got it. I ordered from NAPA a EC101 alternator connecter that plugs into the alternator. Then I ordered an EC80 adaptor that plugs into my 2 wire connector, then into the 4. So all I would need to do is swap the serp.pulley to the v-belt, and make the brackets work.
 
For some reason (I don't remember why) you are supposed to wire in a resistor or 194 bulb on one of the wires.
 
I will also say on mine, there are three wires. There's the thick red wire from bat to the stud on the alt. The smaller red wire in the connector also goes to the stud in the alt. The brown wire in the connector has the bulb socket wired into it and goes to the original brown (or black maybe) wire.

When the ignition is on, engine stopped, the bulb lights up. I think it takes place of the idiot light like would be on a newer vehicle, that for some reason is needed for the alt to work properly.
 
Yeah, I read about the resistors, but I read that if you have a gauge or an "idiot" light in the system then the resistor inline isn't needed. It's been a while but I know Dyeager did the swap and had a pretty good writeup on it. I never heard about the bulb though.
 
Assuming your '79 is like my '74's, the wiring is simple. I bought a two-pin socket that fits the factory plug; it has red and black wires. I bought a three-pin plug or whatever fits the fancy new alternator, which has red, black and brown wires. Match colors and heatshrink off the brown one as unnecessary ... et voila:

(pic is huge, so I'll just link it)

http://www.slosh.com/ck5/big-alternator-2.JPG

I had to do a custom bracket on the big block, but it dropped right in on the 350.

-- A
 
My fancy pigtail doesn't have three wire like yours? Mine only has red and brown wires, although the brown wire may be where your black one is.
 
Should be easy enough to sort out from that pic which wire position is which. Looks like the first two positions are used and the third one isn't.

-- A
 
Dremu,
Any pics of the modified bracket? I want to do the same to my BBC. From the pic that 'lower sleeve' on the alternator bolt looks unaltered? Thanks.
 
Ok that makes more sense. I got the new 3-wire plug for the cs144, waiting on my adaptor plug. What is the brown wire for? Is that the exciter wire? Did you just cut and cap it?
 
Ned, see

http://www.slosh.com/ck5/subbiebuild/big-alternator-bracket-boogers-2.JPG

It's been forever, but it looks like I bent a piece of chopped angle iron to go from the intake manifold (left, with the fender washer) and then to the water pump (right, rusty as all hell.)

I then welded a slotted piece, prolly cut from an alternator bracket from the junkyard, for the belt tension adjustment.

I am specifically not posting the other pic I took 'cuz the booger welds look bad =))

Cornfield, yeah, I just capped off the brown wire.

-- A
 
Dremu,
Thanks for the extra pic. I like the Franken-bracket.:wink1:
I'll probably do the same.

Good choice with the tall air cleaner too. I was reading and air cleaner comparison test, and they said the 6" tall one was as unrestrictive as no air cleaner housing. I've got one also for that reason.

I also like your trans-temp gauge mounted in the ashtray. Good use of space. I cut my ashtray slot out/widened abit and mounted a CB in there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom