The local Pick-a-Part finally seems to have a supply of these in the pipeline, but I'm wondering which cars (other than '94-95 Stangs) have the most direct swap-overs for 87-93 5.0 upgrades. Are all large case 3G's 130 amp units? Which cars/trucks are direct interchange (with bracket and wiring mods of course)? Some later Tauruses seem to have come with the 180-degree-apart bolt holes and 6-rib pulleys -- are these a direct swap? If they would work they seem to be the most available but are there other cars/trucks I should be looking at first?
Junkyard 3G Alt's?
- Thread starter SamSnyder
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Sam, good to see you in here. 
Have you checked Monte Smith's alternator page? He had a decent list that seemed like it could get one started.
I could be wrong, but I think the 6G's dont even require grinding the alt bracket down (a few folks in here have done that conversion and can confirm or deny that).
Good luck bud.
Have you checked Monte Smith's alternator page? He had a decent list that seemed like it could get one started.
I could be wrong, but I think the 6G's dont even require grinding the alt bracket down (a few folks in here have done that conversion and can confirm or deny that).
Good luck bud.
Here's websites with pictures of the 3G installation... Monte Smith as mentioned by Hissin50 is the first one...
See http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte/Auto/3G_130A_Alternator_Upgrade.htm - all the tech data you could ever want to know
OR
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/alternator.html - excellent pictures of installation
Use these sites for information on the right way to do the wiring. Some people will tell you that you can skip the wiring upgrade, but it will catch up with you sooner or later. A fire in the wiring harness is ugly and expensive.
Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. If the fuse blows in the 4 gauge wire, the two 10 gauge wires will be overloaded to the point of catching fire and burning up the wiring harness.
The secondary power ground is between the back of the intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges. Any car that has a 3G alternator needs a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.
Electric fan = 3G alternator if you want long life & reliability from your car.
The electric fan saves some HP. The stock fan's parasitic drag runs from 7-12 HP depending on who you talk to. The electric fan uses about 1/2 HP of power from the electrical system.
Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps
That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!
See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse @ $3.90 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=071-952
Fuseholder @ $5.80 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-630
4 gauge black wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-196
4 gauge red wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-194
4 gauge ring crimp terminals (package of 5) $3.25. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=095-584
Pre-fab 4 gauge cables with lugs already on the ends are available in most auto parts stores. Look for the starter switch to starter cables.
See http://www.geocities.com/smithmonte/Auto/3G_130A_Alternator_Upgrade.htm - all the tech data you could ever want to know
OR
http://www.mustangcentral.net/tech/alternator.html - excellent pictures of installation
Use these sites for information on the right way to do the wiring. Some people will tell you that you can skip the wiring upgrade, but it will catch up with you sooner or later. A fire in the wiring harness is ugly and expensive.
Under no circumstances connect the two 10 gauge black/white wires to the 3G alternator. If the fuse blows in the 4 gauge wire, the two 10 gauge wires will be overloaded to the point of catching fire and burning up the wiring harness.
The secondary power ground is between the back of the intake manifold and the driver's side firewall. It is often missing or loose. It supplies ground for the alternator, A/C compressor clutch and other electrical accessories such as the gauges. Any car that has a 3G alternator needs a 4 gauge ground wire running from the block to the chassis ground where the battery pigtail ground connects.
Electric fan = 3G alternator if you want long life & reliability from your car.
The electric fan saves some HP. The stock fan's parasitic drag runs from 7-12 HP depending on who you talk to. The electric fan uses about 1/2 HP of power from the electrical system.
Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps
That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!
See WWW.partsexpress.com for the fuse & fuse holder.
Fuse @ $3.90 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=071-952
Fuseholder @ $5.80 each (need one) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=263-630
4 gauge black wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-196
4 gauge red wire @ $1.25 a foot (use string to lay out routing & determine length) http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-194
4 gauge ring crimp terminals (package of 5) $3.25. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=095-584
Pre-fab 4 gauge cables with lugs already on the ends are available in most auto parts stores. Look for the starter switch to starter cables.
It`s best to use the 94-95 3g`s versus 96 and up.A local rebuilder said the cases on 96 and up 3g`s are a little different in terms of pulley spacing.
I picked up a 96` 3g off a Taurus and my stock 2g pulley interfered with the case.ASP said using a 5/8" washer as a spacer would push the pulley grooves out too far causing the belt to walk off.
The ASP 1-7/8" OD alternator pulley fits 3g`s up to 95.
I wish I knew of this before buying as I have the ASP od alt pulley on my 2g.
A local rebuilder had a smaller 2g size pulley with the correct spacing that fit this 96` 3g alt.Haven`t installed the alternator yet,(winter time here).
I picked up a 96` 3g off a Taurus and my stock 2g pulley interfered with the case.ASP said using a 5/8" washer as a spacer would push the pulley grooves out too far causing the belt to walk off.
The ASP 1-7/8" OD alternator pulley fits 3g`s up to 95.
I wish I knew of this before buying as I have the ASP od alt pulley on my 2g.
A local rebuilder had a smaller 2g size pulley with the correct spacing that fit this 96` 3g alt.Haven`t installed the alternator yet,(winter time here).
jackchan
New Member
years ago i drove over to my local junkyard, bought a 3g off an old taurus, and cut the pigtail off the other end (the part that plugs into the alt.) and spliced it in and I think i ground the bracket...been about 5-6 years now. memeory aint what it use to be...lol
I need to do this again........I TRUELY feel that the higher amp alt. helps with hotter ignition spark...I'll have to search out a taurus.........is there any particular year taurus's that work? thanks
Jack
I need to do this again........I TRUELY feel that the higher amp alt. helps with hotter ignition spark...I'll have to search out a taurus.........is there any particular year taurus's that work? thanks
Jack
jackchan said:
I got the 96 Taurus/Sable as a choice from the Monte Smith website list of vehicles that came with 3g`s.
The one I picked up off the 96`Taurus was the best choice they had in stock at the time.It still had the Champion rebuild sticker on the case and the brush holder had a 2005 date stamped on it,and the brushes are like new,so it was hardly used before the car was written off.
I just assumed all 3g`s were the same.As for other year Taurus`s working,95 and down I guess,if they had them
.The Smith site just mentioned a 96 Sable,(same as Taurus),I believe.96` and up still work,it`s just a pulley spacing issue which is a pain because those 3g alternators come with huge pulleys,at least the one I got did,that are too big,especially if you have underdrive pulleys.
