whatever84

My car has a 60 amp alternator and an optima red top battery on it now and it seems to be doing OK with, but just OK. It's an 84 Camaro with a carbed early 70's small block with a turbo 350 trans in it, I have an electric fan that pulls around 13 amps and an Blue Holley electric fuel pump that pulls around 3 or 4 amps, after the car runs for a while the volt meter reads just right at 13 volts with the headlights on (It has a nice set of aftermarket gauges) I notice the fan doesn't blow as hard as it does when I first start the car. I'm going to get a new alternator but want some opinions on what amp to get, A 80 amp or a 100 amp? Thanks for any help.

Mark.

whatever84

Dont every one reply at once!

8t2 z-chev

A 60a alternator in good working order should easily
keep up with electrical load you have listed-sounds like
like you have a faulty alternator and/or bad connections
somewhere...If you have an "SI"style alternator,(most
1973-'86 GM alternators are"SI")those are prone to
bad connections where the stator leads are crimped to
the rectifier terminals.Also check over the engine to
body ground strap.
If you have a voltmeter,you can check the voltage at
the alternator;with engine running,there should be
at least 13.5v-probably will be closer to 14.2 with a
cold alternator.If volts at alternator drop to lower than
13.5v with lights and heater blower on,alternator is
weak.If volts are good at alternator but low when
reading taken at battery,there is a bad connection
somewhere.
Also,higher output alternators usually have
fewer turns in the stator winding,increasing the
peak output but reducing volt output at low
rpm,so higher amp output doesn't always give
the best results in everyday use.

whatever84

Thanks. I will check it out.

Mark.