Author Topic: Voltage Regulator? (Read 734 times)

68angrypony · « **on:** November, 11, 2009, 05:43:12 AM »

Hi All,

New here and new to the Mustang Restoration world. I wanted to find out if on a 68 mustang if you are suppose to have a voltage regulator. If so where would it be located and wired into? My 68 doesn't have one and I am wondering if I need one. Thinking it might have been the culprit that just burned out my ignitor II.

Thanks,

Jeremy

70_Fastback · « **Reply #1 on:** November, 11, 2009, 05:53:38 AM »

As long as you are running the "stock" type, externally regulated alternator - Yes, you need a voltage regulator. And it's typically located on the passenger side fender apron, just behing the battery, adjacent to the starter solenoid.

Here is a link to one for sale on eBay (and yes, it's mine... :naug )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260503951921&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

:$$$

70_Fastback · « **Reply #2 on:** November, 11, 2009, 05:54:15 AM »

Oh, and welcome to the Forum.

daveSanborn · « **Reply #3 on:** November, 11, 2009, 06:48:49 AM »

On a '68, I'm pretty certain that the VR bolts to the drivers side of the radiator support.... approx 2/3 of the way down from the top.

On Jeremy's '70 it would mount over on the passenger apron.

70_Fastback · « **Reply #4 on:** November, 11, 2009, 06:50:39 AM »

Oh crap, sorry Dave. You're right - I was directly describing where mine is on my '70! My bad. Sorry.

I think 'Dne has a post with her VR pictured correctly for her year.

70_Fastback · « **Reply #5 on:** November, 11, 2009, 06:52:00 AM »

Here is Dne's VR:

Fast68back · « **Reply #6 on:** November, 11, 2009, 07:47:02 AM »

Another Jeremy? Welcome AngryPony...

70_Fastback · « **Reply #7 on:** November, 11, 2009, 07:49:16 AM »

He can be Jeremy(2); much like the Craig, Craig(2) & Craig(3). And likewise for the "Dave"s here.

lethal289 · « **Reply #8 on:** November, 11, 2009, 07:54:05 AM »

Welcome to the forum, Post some pics of your angry pony!

apollard · « **Reply #9 on:** November, 11, 2009, 11:27:50 AM »

Quote from: 68angrypony on November, 11, 2009, 05:43:12 AM

New here and new to the Mustang Restoration world. I wanted to find out if on a 68 mustang if you are suppose to have a voltage regulator. If so where would it be located and wired into? My 68 doesn't have one and I am wondering if I need one. Thinking it might have been the culprit that just burned out my ignitor II.

IF you have a stock alternator without a regulator, it would not charge at all. The regulator controls the current into the armature coils (wire 35 on the wiring diagrams). With no voltage there, almost no voltage will be generated at the stator (which is connected through the diodes to the batt terminal).

So, if you don't have an external regulator, and you are charging, you have a later model internal regulator alternator.

68angrypony · « **Reply #10 on:** November, 11, 2009, 11:00:16 PM »

Well the car is a project car. So it hasn't moved since I owned it. I got the car with a 289 in it and bought a used 351c and dropped it in. I can start the engine in place by running a coil wire to the battery and running the wire right off the start and touching it to the starter solenoid. So I am not sure if I need a voltage regulator but I was assuming I might as some of the books info I have seen states their is a voltage regulator. If I do need one, what are my options? would something like the 6al box be in place of that? I'm a complete rookie learning all this stuff so any basics would help. Thank you.

AzPete · « **Reply #11 on:** November, 12, 2009, 05:22:16 AM »

You can pull the alternator off and take it into a local parts store like Auto Zone and have them check it. They should be able to tell you if it has an internal regulator. It sounds like it does not. You will most likely need a stock type unit, either one with regular points or an electronic type. The electronic type have a shorter cap. To keep the cleaner look, you can replace the alternator with a newer type that has an internal regulator. There is a small amount of wiring harness change for this.

daveSanborn · « **Reply #12 on:** November, 12, 2009, 06:05:17 AM »

Quote

would something like the 6al box be in place of that?

No, the 6AL box is something completely different.

You've started the car by bypassing the ignition circuitry, not the charging system. These are two different things. You will need a voltage regulator, whether it's internal to the ALT or external. It's doubtful that your 351C 2V has an internally regulated alternator.

apollard · « **Reply #13 on:** November, 12, 2009, 09:41:32 AM »

Quote from: 68angrypony on November, 11, 2009, 11:00:16 PM

...just burned out my ignitor II.

I can start the engine in place by running a coil wire to the battery and running the wire right off the start and touching it to the starter solenoid.

That is most likely what burned your ignitor II. IIRC, all ignitors require a ballast resistor in line with the coil to drop the max current (unless you are using their coil). Couldn't find the ignitor II manual on the pertronix website, but jumping straight to the batt bypassed the ballast resistor built into the wiring harness.

buening · « **Reply #14 on:** November, 12, 2009, 11:13:25 AM »

Quote from: 70_Fastback on November, 11, 2009, 07:49:16 AM

He can be Jeremy(2);

Oh I see how it is! :cry

I wonder if his last name starts with a B like ours? That would be freaky

70_Fastback · « **Reply #15 on:** November, 12, 2009, 11:17:54 AM »

oh crap. #3. Sorry! :shy

68angrypony · « **Reply #16 on:** November, 12, 2009, 12:50:03 PM »

Quote from: apollard on November, 12, 2009, 09:41:32 AM

That is most likely what burned your ignitor II. IIRC, all ignitors require a ballast resistor in line with the coil to drop the max current (unless you are using their coil). Couldn't find the ignitor II manual on the pertronix website, but jumping straight to the batt bypassed the ballast resistor built into the wiring harness.

I have a flame thrower two coil that I believe is what is best with an ignitor II. So with that said, I should get a voltage regulator from auto zone/ kragen? or is their better units out their? What is the best way to wire them in?

Also, I have a stock alternator from Auto zone that is maybe 1.5 years old and never used. Not sure if it is internally regulated or not.

Fast68back · « **Reply #17 on:** November, 12, 2009, 12:52:24 PM »

Autozone/Kragen is fine, you should have connectors there in your wiring harness.

70_Fastback · « **Reply #18 on:** November, 12, 2009, 12:56:40 PM »

I'd recommend you pick up the electrical wiring book for your specific year car.

cmayna · « **Reply #19 on:** November, 13, 2009, 01:57:06 PM »

Yes, I just recently installed the voltage regulator on Shag. Driver's side of radiator support. There are holes for the screws. You should have a connector from the wiring harness sitting there.

apollard · « **Reply #20 on:** November, 15, 2009, 04:21:30 PM »

Quote from: 68angrypony on November, 12, 2009, 12:50:03 PM

Also, I have a stock alternator from Auto zone that is maybe 1.5 years old and never used. Not sure if it is internally regulated or not.

Check out this site, it has pics to help you ID what you have. Also lots of other info, mainly on the 3G (upgraded late model alt).

http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=63

68angrypony · « **Reply #21 on:** November, 23, 2009, 11:35:34 AM »

great info thanks guys. I am going to head up to auto zone/ kragen and see what they have and hope that works for now.

68angrypony · « **Reply #22 on:** December, 01, 2009, 04:53:07 PM »

upon further review i realize that I have a voltage regulator right next to the radiator as well. When I painted the engine pay I had rattle canned right over it and overlooked/forgot about it :shy. how do I do if it is still good? is that a fuse that is on the top of it?

Midlife · « **Reply #23 on:** December, 01, 2009, 05:43:57 PM »

Quote from: 68angrypony on December, 01, 2009, 04:53:07 PM

upon further review i realize that I have a voltage regulator right next to the radiator as well. When I painted the engine pay I had rattle canned right over it and overlooked/forgot about it :shy. how do I do if it is still good? is that a fuse that is on the top of it?

If it is a smallish cylinder looking thing, that's a radio suppression device, otherwise known as a capacitor.

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Author Topic: Voltage Regulator? (Read 734 times)

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