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How to wire up an alternator in a 62 Lark

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  • Electrical: How to wire up an alternator in a 62 Lark

    I started a new thread rather that add to an existing thread about alternators and 62 Lark idiot lights, I have a few questions on how to replace my 62 Lark's generator with an alternator.

    What I have: a 62 Lark hardtop with a generator that has not been driven much while under repair and I parked outside year round, the battery died because of age and lack of use while the car was sitting while I worked on something else

    What I have parts wise: option one, a Studebaker Prestolite alternator and bracket. Easy bolt in but how to wire it plus the idiot light problem referenced in another thread.

    Option two, a GM alternator and a really goofed up bracket, I can get a wire that plugs into the alternator at Speedway the bracket was a stock Studebaker alternator bracket that really got badly modified to kinda work on a Lark six that I bought for parts years ago

    The first option is easy to bolt together but I have no idea how to wire it into a stock 62 Lark six wiring harness with existing voltage regulator. (or wire around or??)

    The second option would take more fabrication to make a bracket so the pulleys would line up. I would still need to wire the thing up to a stock 62 Lark six wiring harness.

    How would I wire up either option. Would I use any of the stock wiring harness or just bypass the whole lot...

    If someone would walk me through this step by step. While I am rather good repairing most automotive systems, my achilles heel are electrical systems because of a small problem with color vision, you say the wire is green, I might see it as brown or yellow depending on lighting conditions.

    My Lark is setting outside beside the driveway waiting for spring so I can get back at getting it roadworthy after nearly 25 years of storage and repair.

    Jeff
    \"I\'m getting nowhere as fast as I can\"
    The Replacements.

  • #2
    What I would do, maybe not your choice, but here it is.

    Install the Prestolite with the '63/'64 Bracket, stock '63/'64 Fan Belt and repurpose the Armature and Field Generator Wires (or replace) to connect to a new Electronic Replacement Chrysler/Studebaker '63-'66 Voltage Regulator following the '63 Wiring Diagram which will show a "Trigger Wire" will be needed to go from the "IGN" Terminal (Flat Spade) of the Regulator to the Ign. Terminal of the Ign. Sw.
    A Ground wire is needed between the Alt. & Reg. Cases.

    Then per the '63 Diagram a Wire will go to an Ammeter added under the Dash and a Jumper Wire on the Ammeter, to power up the Ign. Switch. The Power wire to the Idiot Light can be cut and capped and forgotten.

    PLEASE DO not try to follow my poor GENERALIZED explanation verbally of what to do, you MUST follow the '63 Wiring Diagram for all effected, relocated or added Wires and routing.

    So you then would have basically a Stock 1963 Lark electrically, and as someone said in your Other thread, it would be better to just change the Instrument Cluster to a '63 with full Gauges, that way you would also gain a real Oil Pressure Gauge!

    An Auto Electrical Shop may be needed, if you are not Electrically or Physically inclined to do this.
    I converted a '54 Starliner to '57 Golden Hawk 12 Volt Dash and Harness and modified it this way to a '64 GT Hawk Alternator circuit, HOWEVER, I was 21 YO.
    StudeRich
    Second Generation Stude Driver,
    Proud '54 Starliner Owner
    SDC Member Since 1967

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    • #3
      Usually you can use your generator bracket to mount an alternator. Just use pieces of small pipe or washers to space it so the belt will align; sometimes a bit of persuasion is needed for the adjusting arm to clear the alternator fan too. I posted this about using a GM alternater a couple days ago on a different thread.

      The easiest way is to use a standard (not one wire) GM 10 or 15 Si alternator and wire the "BATT" terminal to the battery; buy the correct plug (auto zone has them) for the two small connections and wire the big wire on it to the "BATT" terminal on the alternator and the small wire on it to the idiot light. The other side of the idiot light should go to power when the key is on. That small wire changes from ground to power when the alternator starts making power and turns the light off.

      If you don't have idiot lights just use a one wire and a wire from the "batt" terminal to the battery or to an ammeter then to the battery.

      This is my Stude 289, the GM alternater is mounted on a generator mount and the adjusting arm was reshaped due to where it was mounted on the AC compressor bracket. I installed the GM unit when the Chrysler one that was on the car (somebody before me had replaced the generater with) began having regulator problems leaving me stuck a couple times and destroying my battery . It was cheaper to go to the GM alt than replace the Chrysler regulator.
      Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_1118.JPG Views:	0 Size:	105.5 KB ID:	1933696
      Last edited by bensherb; 02-27-2022, 07:27 PM.

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      • #4
        NEW 5/8 PULLEY ALTERNATOR FITS GM DELCO 1 ONE WIRE 10SI CLASSIC CAR REPLACEMENT | eBay$87.97. I have used 5 of these on Studebakers. Get a 2 shive pulley. Mount the alt. and use the outside pulley shive for your belt. Remove the voltage regulator. Hook the battery and generator wires together. Attach the generator wire to the post on the alt. Install a ground wire to the engine. install a under dash voltmeter to monitor charge. hooking up voltmeter. Plus, wire to the acc post on ign switch. Ground the other post.
        Last edited by DieselJim; 02-27-2022, 08:20 PM.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by DieselJim View Post
          NEW 5/8 PULLEY ALTERNATOR FITS GM DELCO 1 ONE WIRE 10SI CLASSIC CAR REPLACEMENT | eBay$87.97. I have used 5 of these on Studebakers. Get a 2 shive pulley. Mount the alt. and use the outside pulley shive for your belt. Remove the voltage regulator. Hook the battery and generator wires together. Attach the generator wire to the post on the alt. Install a ground wire to the engine. install a under dash voltmeter to monitor charge. hooking up voltmeter. Plus, wire to the acc post on ign switch. Ground the other post.
          My '62 Hawk uses a standard 1/2" belt. I don't remember if my '61 Lark did or not.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by bensherb View Post

            My '62 Hawk uses a standard 1/2" belt. I don't remember if my '61 Lark did or not.
            59 to 64 V 8 uses the same belt. Info from SI web site.

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            • #7
              thanks for the responses

              My Lark is a six, it sounds faster than it actually is (OHV 6 humor)

              I have a Delco alternator that was on a Lark that I scrapped years ago, the code on the unit says it originally on a 69 Camaro so the alternator may the most valuable part on the car

              The alternator itself has a double grove pulley, it appears that the outer grove lines up with the crank pulley and the water pump pulley, why the previous owner bodged up the bolt holes is beyond me.

              I'm going to run it by a local auto electric shop to make sure it still works, it's been sitting in a box for most of the last few decades.

              I printed off the wiring diagrams for 62 and 63, so I'll study them before I do anything...

              If I wanted to try something really different just to use the Prestolite, I have the complete dash with wiring harness that I was going to use on a custom Champ based on a 63-66 wagon, but that's a lot of work just to install an alternator.
              \"I\'m getting nowhere as fast as I can\"
              The Replacements.

              Comment


              • #8
                That May be a good thing to find a Factory Type Delco 3 Wire, instead of one of the crappy Aftermarket 1 Wire Chicom? ones that everyone seems to love, but if not wired a certain way will not Charge below 1200 RPM until revved up, and difficult to run through an Ammeter.
                StudeRich
                Second Generation Stude Driver,
                Proud '54 Starliner Owner
                SDC Member Since 1967

                Comment


                • #9
                  Is this the wire needed for the alternator?

                  https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ness,2373.html

                  oops, the d
                  escription says 1973 and up
                  \"I\'m getting nowhere as fast as I can\"
                  The Replacements.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Jeff T. View Post
                    Is this the wire needed for the alternator?
                    /Cut/oops, the description says 1973 and up
                    If you are going to run the '69 Camaro Alt. I think it would be a 3 Wire Delco and Not Internally Regulated, so it may need a Voltage Regulator.
                    When properly wired, you should not need anything extra.
                    StudeRich
                    Second Generation Stude Driver,
                    Proud '54 Starliner Owner
                    SDC Member Since 1967

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Jeff T. View Post
                      Is this the wire needed for the alternator?

                      https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ness,2373.html

                      oops, the d
                      escription says 1973 and up
                      That is the connector you need if you want to use a GM "SI" series internal regulated three wire alternater.

                      Its way cheaper at a local auto store though. https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
                      or this one at Summit Racing, https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...CABEgKF2vD_BwE

                      This should be the one for the earlier GM alternator that requires an external regulator.

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                      • #12
                        I probably should have transcribed the number off the delco earlier in this thread

                        1102491(space)37
                        6E 3-12V NE

                        I'll dig out the Prestolite sometime tomorrow
                        \"I\'m getting nowhere as fast as I can\"
                        The Replacements.

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