What might go wrong?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,566
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From: Wisconsin
What might go wrong?
My '71 has factory air but it the compressor was disconnected from the wire harness when I got it. No idea of the aircon system status. Now I'm curious if the air actually works.
Some PO put an incorrect 37 amp alternator on.
So if I reconnect the compressor with that smaller alternator, what might happen? Possibly overheat/burn up the alternator? (which isn't bad as it would give me an excuse to get a 94 amp for running electric fans, lol)
Some PO put an incorrect 37 amp alternator on.
So if I reconnect the compressor with that smaller alternator, what might happen? Possibly overheat/burn up the alternator? (which isn't bad as it would give me an excuse to get a 94 amp for running electric fans, lol)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
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Unless you have documents that prove it's a 37 amp alternator, I wouldn't bet on it, regardless of the stampings on the case. GM used the bigger alternators (bigger amp output) thinking that running at night with all the load, headlights, a/c, radio, the output is needed. THe heat/ac fan draws a bunch on high. For your testing, you can run what you have without any ill effect.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
rebuilders clean up and paint any alternator frame and resell them. very few 10si type alternators have never gone thru a rebuild shop. and they would only rebuild a specific one if asked. and they would most likely not leave it at that low an output. a guy with a 69 corvette wants the correct numbers and date code. he ain't gonna bitch cuz it works too good to be OEM correct. and ac doesn't draw that much power unless electric fans are involved. what might go wrong? lots, but not because the alternator is too weak.
Last edited by derekderek; Jun 10, 2021 at 03:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,570
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From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Isn't the AC's electrical power being used just to pull in the compressor clutch and run the dash ventilation fan. The spinning compressor is running off of the engine. Seems like it should be OK.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Midlothian VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: North tonawanda NY
My money is on the AC leaking and needing service... I doubt it was disconnected for any other reason. mine was the same way.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jun 10, 2021 at 05:21 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: North tonawanda NY
still for matters of testing the ac to see if it works, he can do this without upgrading the alternator.. worst case scenerio is if left on too long it will start to drain the battery but it would take a while.. much longer than he needs to test the ac. just putting a volt meter on the alternator output and seeing if the volts drop below 13 would tell him if the alternator is keeping up or not.
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
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