hei distributor and 3 wire gm alternator swap

[Dragon]

read this
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =8&t=47342

and this

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =8&t=13062

Oh and you should read all of the first one. It completely covers they why and why not of both your ideas.

[Thunderfoot]

Edit/Note
prodents69,
I merged these topics together as you already asked this question, I changed the title to match your latest post. Please keep to the one post for this subject so as to not have multiple responses for the same question posted in different areas.

Thanks, Moderator, Shayne

[Thunderfoot]

I have an 85 f 150 with a 351w. I am changing the distributor to an hei and the alternator to a 3 wire gm ?alternator. Any idea where I could get a wiring diagram of how to do this? Any idea what would be a good donor car to get the gm alternator?
Please Help!

You state "HEI" distributor, this is a GM term / distributor... Ford is called a Dura-Spark or Ford Electronic ignition, or the later TFI... Please clarify as to which one you want the info on as it is different for each. (and yes they do make GM HEI distributor setups aftermarket for some of the FORDs)

For the GM Alternator:
If you go the the link that fmartin_gila1 posted at http://www.gofastforless.com/ (and if you don't have running JAVA like I don't) at the bottom of the page click on "Loser Index" and then click on "Charging System" He is showing using a 3 wire GM Alternator connection.
Another link or two to look at.
http://www.hartin.com/alt.htm
http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/GMAlternatorInAFord.htm (this page has lots of information and links to more information)

[prodents69]

I have an 85 f 150 with a 5.8. I am trying to convert the distributor to hei and the alternator to a 3 wire gm alternator. Any idea where i could get a diagram of how to do this? And What car would be a good donor for the 3 wire alternator?

ok heres whats really going on. I have a 56 f100 truck and the donor was a 85 econoline w 351w. I took all the wires out of the van to put in the truck. My dad told me I needed a 3wire alternator and an hei distributor. He said I would get rid of a lot of wires and it would be easier and better. He didnt realize that I already had electronic ignition and I didnt even think about it before ripping it out. So I took out all the wires to the distributor and regulator and brain box trying to simplify things cuz the gm distributor is only one wire and i was going to use a gm alternator cuz the regulator is inside and also has less wiring?. So I guess I need a wiring diagram of my 351 and how to wire either the hei which i have already bought or put back the duraspark somehow(scarry because i have taken out most of the wires to the distributor cuz i was going to use the one wire hei ) and either the 1 wire 3g or 3 wire gm alternator: which ever way would be easiest and best at this point. Does the alternator on a 93 taurus have an internal or external regulator
?

[Thunderfoot]

Thanks for the clarification.
For the GM HEI style distributor all you have to do is run a single 12V wire from the ignition switch to the "BAT" terminal on the distributor, that's it.
The 93 Taurus Alternator is a 3G alternator and Yes they are internal Regulated, very good upgrade.
3G wiring info.
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 30#p362319
And this, also don't forget to install a fuse on the output wire like in this diagram.

[Dragon]

Fords haven't had an external regulator since the mid 80s is I remember right. I never saw one in the Ford truck bays I worked in 1986 and I was the only one that worked on the electrics in that bay section. This was the light truck bay for all the Ford trucks, minis and broncos and explorers.
From a F150 300 6
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalo ... entId=57-0

This is it's internal regulator

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalo ... entId=57-0

Here is the wiring for internal regulator in 1986
.

Alternator Wiring.jpg