What is a good single wire alternator to use?

[JR]

My 440 is finally running again and it's time to handle the alternator. I don't want to run an original dual field alternator because thats more stuff to go bad, more connections to fail, and I find it hard to find a decent rebuilt alternator that won't crap out after 6 months.The main thing is simplicity, with just one wire and one connection, that's less wiring, and less troubleshooting down the road. My factory harness was all butchered up, so I just cut off 6 inches from the plug, and am running new wiring to each part. I have an MSD box, so If i get a single wire alt, I figure theres no voltage regulator, no ballast resistor, no ecu, and less connections to go bad.

I'm even considering using a GM single wire. I can handle making brackets and fabrication, I just need some good sugestions on what alt to use. I'd like to find one easy to replace, preferrably one off a late model car or truck.

Any ideas? I've searched to no avail. I see the one at 440 source, I was just wondering if there were any other options.

[Upholstery guy]

Gm alternators come in multiple amperages and there plentiful and it bolts right in you can use the factory mopar bracket you just need another shyme to adjust it out from the engine more for the pulley to line up I post a picture later, and you need a alternator diode plug.

Also if you change to a high output ALT discconect the Ammeter in the dash checkout Madelectrical site:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

Alternator look up a 10- si or  12-si alternator on ebay

Diode Plug
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/2373,385_Alternator-Wiring-Harness.html?itemNo=alternator%20wire

[JR]

Those were some helpful sites, thanks man.

I know the GM single wire isn't the greatest, but it would keep wiring down and keep it cleaner underhood. I want to eliminate any chance of breakdowns and make the electrical system simple as possible.

I also did away with the amp guage, all the guages really. I have replaced all mine with new Autometers. Less to break.

[Upholstery guy]

I made and wired Phat69charger's gauge panel I told him it's easier to fix parts that they still make then to search for parts there are as old as you are and that are really expensive.

[JR]

That looks really good man, I used them for the same reason. More accurate, and easily repairable, replacable.

here are mine, I don't have a full shot yet showing the speedo and tach. I'd like to find an overlay to replace the woodgrain with. Carbon fiber or brushed aluminum maybe.

[Upholstery guy]

Here's some shots of a 10 SI alternator using factory brackets on Phat's 440, you can see the extra shyme added on the top bolt to move the alternator out more, also get a fan belt long enough to adjust alternator out so fan blades on alt clears the factory bracket.

[Mefirst]

This is really interesting... Could someone please draw a wiring diagram or explane how to wire a single wire alternator into Mopar...

/Tom

[Nacho-RT74]

I don't want to run an original dual field alternator because thats more stuff to go bad, more connections to fail,

Just three plugs more... regulator can go bad because THERE IS A REGULATOR  just that is internally built, so if get damaged you need more job to repair it . I can't see the headache. Preffer externally... just an opinion

[Mefirst]

Well after reading the MAD tech, I cant see no idea to change a 3 wire setup to a 1 wire...

/Tom

[JR]

The single wire alternator just has one wire coming from the internal regulator, and that wire runs to the starter stud. That's all the wiring involved.

Natcho, the thing I have with the original remanufactured alternators, is that it's very difficult to find a quality rebuilt one. When I was daily driving my Charger I must have gone thru 10 of those things. The chain stores up here in the states give a lifetime warranty with them, but I don't care to be constantly pulling and swapping these things. The GM alternator practically grows on trees up here, which is why  I am considering it.

My wiring harness was shot, so I cut it off from the plug and ran a new wire to each connection.  But since I am using a MSD 6a box, I only have to worry about sensor wires, so just a couple of wires from the factory harness is all I need. I like that it is much cleaner and simpler under the hood. I know the single wire isn't the best, but it would help me keep down wiring and keep it simple under the hood.