I just helped a friend with this on an MGB yesterday.
Here is a good website with info about GM alternators and how to wire them
http://www.alternatorparts.com/FAQ.htm#how_to_wire
Here is the Reader's Digest condensed version.
The two spade terminals on the back of the alternator are # 1 (left side
looking at alternator from the rear with the spades facing up) and #2 (right
side same conditions)
Wire the #1 to the ignition warning light So that when the key is turned on,
voltage flows through the bulb to the alternator where, when the engine is
not running, it will be grounded and the light lit, this voltage from the
bulb will supply the excitation current to excite the alternator and turn it
on when the engine starts. Once the alternator starts to put out voltage
the bulb loses it ground, and the ignition warning light goes out.
With the #2 terminal, you have a choice. you may either leave it empty or
connect it to the main BAT terminal on the back of the alternator. It will
work either way.
No the alternator does not care if it is right side up or not. Nor does it
matter which way it spins.
You do have to modify the voltage regulator box when you install an
alternator. You need to install a heavy wire shunt between the terminals
connected to the battery and the heavy lead running to the BAT terminal on
the back of the alternator. (terminal B to terminal D on an MGB). I did
this by soldering a #8 wire on the back side of the voltage regulator. This
wire needs to be a very heavy gauge wire as it carries the entire output of
the alternator to the battery.
Hope this helps,
Rick
On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Bob Johnson <bjsbj8@gmail.com> wrote:
> But first, Happy New Year to all. This list is a truly great resource
> for all of us. Hard to find this kind of selflessness anymore.
>
> Searching through the archive took me to the GGAHC site with a pic
> that seems to show that the red wire from the NAPA (GM) alternator
> going to the the back of the alternator and connecting to the alt.
> terminal there and then with a yellow wire on the same terminal going
> to the terminal on the (soon to be former) regulator. Is that what I
> am actually seeing? Also, in looking at the various pics of this NAPA
> (GM) alternator, there seem to be differences in the attitude of the
> alt. Seems to be twisted one way in some photos, differently in
> others. The way that mine is mounting, the "plug" or spade terminals
> are at the bottom. Does this make any difference?
>
> Bob Johnson
> BJ8
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