I put some Ford in my Dodge (alternator and ignition swap)

vacuumbed · August 17, 2010, 06:02 PM

I succesfully installed a Ford 3G 130 amp alternator as well as a Ford E-core ignition coil on my 1978 Pace arrow 440.

I wrote a good article on this but I cant copy and paste here or figure out how to post pics. Here is a link to my article if you want to see it all

http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24292316.cfm

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 17, 2010, 06:27 PM

The only concern is will the small belt used on the old alternator be able to handle the increased load. Given that the house battery could create a high current situation this could be a concern. Some people will try to run the roof AC off of an inverter while traveling. Will the alternator belt support this high stress for extended periods?
75-80 amp alternator belt size is 3/8"
80-110 amp alternator belt size is 1/2"
110 amp and higher requires dual belts or a sepentine belt system.

Dave

tiinytina · August 17, 2010, 06:32 PM

ok I can't resist...... doesn't FORD mean F*&&%!! Old Recycled Dodge? (or was that Fix and Repair Daily...) :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao... sorry like I said... that was just wide open... (drat there is no little devil icon to insert).... D:oH!
tina

4winds · August 17, 2010, 06:35 PM

Neat!!!Now I know what I need to upgrade my baby. Thanks, Ed

vacuumbed · August 17, 2010, 06:36 PM

My coach has no invertor, so no worries there. It does get a little belt squeal upon start up, but I just drove it from Salt Lake to Reno with no trouble.

4winds · August 17, 2010, 06:37 PM

Always knew what Ford stands for,and this is a great way to improve our old RV's :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao

vacuumbed · August 17, 2010, 06:45 PM

Quote from: tiinytina on August 17, 2010, 06:32 PM
ok I can't resist...... doesn't FORD mean F*&&%!! Old Recycled Dodge? (or was that Fix and Repair Daily...) :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao... sorry like I said... that was just wide open... (drat there is no little devil icon to insert).... D:oH!
tina

True story...this Dodge left me stranded twice before I installed the Ford parts. Check out my post on rv.net, this upgrade is awesome!!!

vacuumbed · August 17, 2010, 06:50 PM

FYI...The parts are from a FORD TAURUS. If you guys are interested here is some more info.

The 1996-1999 Ford Taurus with the Vulcan 3.0 12V engine has the perfect alternator. It is also 130 amps.

The ignition coil is from a 1995 Ford Taurus.

ibdilbert01 · August 17, 2010, 06:58 PM

"Some people will try to run the roof AC off of an inverter while traveling."

And its tough to do, but it can be done.

I installed a Ford 3G 250amp alternator on my rig last year as a second alternator. Originally I installed it on top of the original alternator with a one belt setup pulling off the unused groove on the water pump.

The issue I had with that configuration was exactly as you said, one belt was not enough when pulling a hard load. I ended up going back and moving the 3g alternator to a new position, under the old alternator. I also ended up driving it with a matched belt set, pulling off the crank shaft pulley, of which I had to change out with a 4 groove.

With the new configuration, I drove from Central Ohio to Elkhart Indiana and back with no issues running the AC and the Fridge.

However, I burned the diode pack last year sitting in traffic on an extremely hot day coming back from the local fair. Also I had ran my batteries down to about 20% and was running the AC and Fridge. I simply was running the alternator at full load and they are not designed to do that continuously.

With the 3g, you can buy whats called a dummy regulator, it simply replaces the standard regulator and allows you to hook up an external regulator. Some high end external regulators will allow you to back off the current when the alternator starts to get too hot. This style configuration is my next upgrade.

vacuumbed · August 17, 2010, 07:01 PM

I have my pics of this on photobucket as well as my computer. How do I get them on this thread?

ibdilbert01 · August 17, 2010, 07:33 PM

You click on Gallery, then "My Album" at the top, but I'm not sure if you can add photos w/out being a member..?

BTW, nice job, and that looks like a newer 4G, not a 3G.

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 17, 2010, 08:01 PM

In the reply box, you can use the image (

) button to imbed image tags. You then can reference a link to photobucket:

Code Select


[img]http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/BaileyDave/Generator/onan_cck_4_0-5.jpg[/img]

results in

vacuumbed · August 17, 2010, 08:02 PM

Quote from: ibdilbert01 on August 17, 2010, 07:33 PM
You click on Gallery, then "My Album" at the top, but I'm not sure if you can add photos w/out being a member..?

BTW, nice job, and that looks like a newer 4G, not a 3G.

Thanks!
The 2000 and newer Taurus has the 4G, I pulled this one from a 98 Taurus. 1996-1999 Taurus/Sable are 3G.