2 wire VS a 3 wire alternator

[Hard Charger]

I bought a new engine wiring harness from YO. I have used them in the past and like using them. The harness I bought has the upgrade to a electronic ignition. This harness also gives me 3 leads to the alternator. It is going into a 68 383HP Charger that was naturally born a 2-wire.

Will there be any problem changing to the 3 wire system in this car?


The Harness also has the plug for a later Solid state regulator. Will there be a problem if i keep the 68 correct regulator or not?

[Nacho-RT74]

electronic system is more efficient. That doesn't mean MORE POWERFULL, just more efficient on sense and give the signal to recharge. You need just to get the correct regulator, and replace OR MODIFY your existant alt. Modify is easy... need to drill a hole and install there the second isolated brush

if you want to keep the stock 68 system will require cut the electronic regulator plug, or insert with bullet terminals on to reg plug couple of wires to feed the mech reg, attach wires to the mech regulator like you regulary would do, and not use the blue wire on alt

[Nacho-RT74]

how to convert an originally 1 prong into a 2 prongs alt, if you don't want to buy a new alt

[Hard Charger]

thank you for the response.

if i change Alternator to the newer 3 wire must i also change to the solid state (newer) regulator? 

[Nacho-RT74]

not necesary... you can convert a 3 wire ( 2 prongs ) alternator also to work like earliers one prong, just grounding one of the brushes and make it work like earliers, LOL. but if you are gona get the 3 wires alt, there is not a reason to not make the full change getting the correct electronic regulator.

You need to define by yourself what do you want to do... upgrade to electronic or keep mechanical

both situations requires mods or changes.

Usually the "harder" one to most ppl is the electrical wiring mods, but you are already acomodated on that.

to make it work on mech system I already told you what to do on the wiring you got without even need to hack the wires and plugs

to modify your existant alt from 2 to 3 wires, already posted the pics. will need just to get the correct regulator and brush with isolator

Isolator you'll need is the one on the left on this pic with the propper brush, also de one on the left:



if you don't want to modify your alt, can go to any parts shop around, and mostly sure will be able to get a dual field ( two prongs ) alt in $50-70 rate

[Hard Charger]

i suppose the newer solid state regulator is more dependable. i have a new one of both types.

i have already dropped my alternator off to a old timer in my area to be changed over. i had gotton a new 2 wire when i bought the car years ago.

the wiring harness also has the 4-pronged ballast plugs as apposed to the 2 prong 68" usually have.


I like a stock looking car, but i plan on driving it a lot. i am not going to any big judging shows.

i am the second owner of a 68HP numbers matching car. i was the first to take it apart.