3G problem

[Flightman91]

I wasn't sure if I should put this in the 3G post so if it belongs there I'm sorry.

I swapped a 3G alternator into my truck, and now my alternator light won't come on and my alternator doesn't appear to be charging fully as I only get about 12 volts when it's running and it will only start the truck about 5 or 6 times before it doesn't anymore. However the truck will continue to run if I roll start it. I've checked the lightbulb and other than that I'm not sure what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[cep62]

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Well you should have 14 volts when running.
I'd make sure the wiring is correct .
I believe the are some articles around here.
Then I'd have it tested at a "Good" parts store .
a cheap rebuild can be bad out of the box.

[Thipdar]

I wasn't sure if I should put this in the 3G post so if it belongs there I'm sorry.

I swapped a 3G alternator into my truck, and now my alternator light won't come on and my alternator doesn't appear to be charging fully as I only get about 12 volts when it's running and it will only start the truck about 5 or 6 times before it doesn't anymore. However the truck will continue to run if I roll start it. I've checked the lightbulb and other than that I'm not sure what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

It would help a lot if we knew which truck you're talking about... is it the one in your sig line?

[Flightman91]

Yes, it is the one in the sig line. But I figured it. Bad crimp connector on the green and red wire. I felt pretty stupid after that one.

[cep62]

I felt pretty stupid after that one.

Don't feel stupid, feel smarter.

You successfully solved an electrical problem.

[Thipdar]

Yes, it is the one in the sig line. But I figured it. Bad crimp connector on the green and red wire. I felt pretty stupid after that one.

I've often thought that feeling stupid is a great motivator for learning more about what I'm supposed to know.
I haven't yet figured out if that approach is successful with learning about women.

[Flightman91]

So further mildly related question. Does anyone know where to get a cheap serpentine belt kit for an Fe engine?

[WhitsEnd]

So further mildly related question. Does anyone know where to get a cheap serpentine belt kit for an Fe engine?

Cheap is a relative term. March is about as cheap as they come, but you still have to already have or go source specific components such as A/C pulley (if you have A/C). Depends on what you need. I don't think the March kits come with the actual belt either. I would want to make sure the required belt is something very common.

I considered it after installing my 95 amp 3G alternator because it squeels on startup. I'm going to add an idler pulley to get more belt wrap on the alternator pulley and see how that works.

[sargentrs]

More of a small block guy so I'm not familiar with FE engine design and history. I'm swapping a 351W into my truck. 351Ws were available from the 60s thru the 90s so I went to a junk yard and got all the brackets from an '87 Explorer 5.8L with a serpentine belt. March kits were crazy expensive and I got what I needed for under $100.
Everything else was easily available at the local parts stores. Even though 390s phased out in the 70s, did the FE block continue in a different configuration into later years like the small blocks? 460s carried on into the 80s+ and migrated into serpentine belt designs. Will 460 components fit a 390? Just throwing stuff out for thought. You FE gurus will have to confirm that.

[cep62]

and got all the brackets from an '87 Explorer 5.8L with a serpentine belt.

Some configurations run the waterpump backwards ,so you'll need the correct one.

[sargentrs]