better performance with alternator?

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone, just thought someone would know the answer to this:

I replaced the 144 ci in my Falcon with a 1980 200ci from a Mustang. I've added Clifford headers and 2 bbl Holley Webber 270 cfm carb plus the DSII distributor.

SO I've done the basics and the car runs WAY better, it's fun to drive and has decent pep.

One thing I did not do was swap out the old generator for an alternator.

I'm look for more performance gains so I'm wondering if the generator could be holding things back a bit by not providing enough juice for the ignition?

It runs pretty good. Would I see some significant difference by putting in an alternator instead?

Thanks!

 

[fmartin_gila]

Alt will recharge the battery a little faster, so you may see a slightly worse power till it gets the battery back up to snuff, then you should see a little less load on the engine. Either way, it won't be much.
Fred

 

[Anonymous]

so a generator provides enough juice for the ignition?

switching to an alternator won't make any difference performance-wise?

 

[rbohm]

8) an alternator will provide more consistent performance over a generator. the stock generator puts out about 38 amps maximum, where as stock ford alternators through the early 80's put out up to 61 amps in passenger car applications. the other thing is that the voltage regulators are better on alternator equipped cars, especially since you can get electronic regulators. check out www.mustangsteve.com for a wiring diagram to convert to an alternator. also www.npdlink.com and www.autokrafters.com have the conversion brackets you need.

 

[Anonymous]

awesome, thanks!