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1986 alternator on an 85 ?

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Old Oct 25, 2012 | 09:53 PM
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Default 1986 alternator on an 85 ?

I have not looked into this much, so I thought I would tap the CF first.

Can you put a 1986 alternator on an 85 ? Is it just a plug connector difference?
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Old Oct 25, 2012 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by LD85
Can you put a 1986 alternator on an 85 ? Is it just a plug connector difference?
Has a '85 got a SI type Alt?

http://www.novaresource.org/alternator.htm

IIRC , The CS130 Alt used on later TPI engines uses the same plugs as the CS144
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...onversion.html

Last edited by vetteoz; Oct 25, 2012 at 10:03 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 05:51 AM
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Originally Posted by LD85
I have not looked into this much, so I thought I would tap the CF first.

Can you put a 1986 alternator on an 85 ? Is it just a plug connector difference?
Do you have one just "hangin' around"? The adapter with resistor and the 8 gauge wire upgrade should do it. It looks like the pigtail might be more difficult to come by these days so with just the connector here's the wiring schematic:



Now if you aren't rushed it looks like Amazon (got to luv em) is less than $14

PT2145 ACD or GM 88861073

From Summit: 7625B looks correct and the NAPA EC82

If you wanted to check the resistance using your '85 connector this should do it:

"If you are unsure which adapter to use, measure the resistance of the exciter line. Disconnect the positive battery cable and the alternator plug. Connect an ohm meter between the #1 terminal on the plug end of the alternator harness and the end of the positive battery cable. Turn the ignition key to the "on" position and read the ohmmeter"

If you'd like to construct your own "adapter" or just "cut&splice" here's how a C3 owner did his "adapter" from scratch:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/zma...ternator01.htm

Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 26, 2012 at 06:52 AM.
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 10:23 AM
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Why waste your time with the 86-91 alternator? They are less than relable.
I have an 86 and installed a 94 alternator.
It is a bolt on, and all you have to do is go to Auto Zone, and buy a plug-in connector to install the alternator for $6. The 92-96 alternator is a direct fit, and is the same size as your old alternator, and you can buy them for around $35-$50 bucks used.
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by coupeguy2001
Why waste your time with the 86-91 alternator? They are less than relable.
I have an 86 and installed a 94 alternator.
It is a bolt on, and all you have to do is go to Auto Zone, and buy a plug-in connector to install the alternator for $6. The 92-96 alternator is a direct fit, and is the same size as your old alternator, and you can buy them for around $35-$50 bucks used.
I asked "DO YOU HAVE ONE HANGIN' AROUND!! - Then answered the question. Yes it would seem that if you were going to do the CS series you would opt for the CS144 but that wasn't the question.

Also your swap was from a CS130 to a CS144 - Larry's is from a 17SI to a CS.

Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 26, 2012 at 10:41 AM.
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 08:45 PM
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The 85 alternator is a 140 amp and the 86-91 a 105 amp.
It can easily be done with the adapter (click link below)


http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050F

This is why i had to use the 86-91 alternator on my 85 cause the 85 one was too big and would have hit the hood.

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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by gerardvg
The 85 alternator is a 140 amp and the 86-91 a 105 amp.
It can easily be done with the adapter (click link below)


http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050F

This is why i had to use the 86-91 alternator on my 85 cause the 85 one was too big and would have hit the hood.

WOW.......good reason! How does she run?? Some serious plumbing going on there!
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 11:39 PM
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Well, I guess it's almost a full moon........Don't bite my head off, i was just trying to steer the guy to a more reliable upgrade.
Here in AZ, in the summer, the solder melts off the CS130 alternator. THe CS144 seems to handle the heat much better, and has a higher charge rate at idle.
If he uses the 130, he will have to find a 86-87 alternator upper bracket and hardware. If he uses the 144, he can use the stuff he already has plus the connector.

Last edited by coupeguy2001; Oct 26, 2012 at 11:43 PM.
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Old Oct 27, 2012 | 12:16 AM
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Originally Posted by coupeguy2001
Well, I guess it's almost a full moon........Don't bite my head off, i was just trying to steer the guy to a more reliable upgrade.
Here in AZ, in the summer, the solder melts off the CS130 alternator. THe CS144 seems to handle the heat much better, and has a higher charge rate at idle.
If he uses the 130, he will have to find a 86-87 alternator upper bracket and hardware. If he uses the 144, he can use the stuff he already has plus the connector.
Almost "FULL" - It will soon be the 29th!

Looking at '85MY bracketry it seems it's a single year only application so
if it requires the '86MY+ bracket then the game might change. There's no doubt the CS144 would be a preferred. Not ever having done this you mention the CS144 can be accomplished with the '85MY bracket? Might you explain?

Which CS144 is considered a "bolt on" for the '85MY?

Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 27, 2012 at 12:29 AM.
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Old Oct 27, 2012 | 02:47 PM
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Thanks guys, I am looking to put a 200 amp on it. My 140 amp has been doing well but since I have @ 600 watts of stereo and the MSD and stuff, I considered upgrading since they are only a couple hundred bucks or so.

I never considered the 94 alternator, if it is better, then of course,,, why not, this is why I asked teh CF guys, you guys are the best!
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Old Oct 28, 2012 | 11:19 AM
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Here is my installation in my 86 using the 86 upper bracket. I later changed to the 85 upper bracket because the 86 bracket rubs the hood at heavy acceleration. The only modification I had to make with the 86 bracket was widening the end of the 86 bracket that actually fits over the upper alternator lug. Other that, it is a bolt on. Since the belt is the same for the 85 and 86-87, that stays the same, and the bottom of the alternator is the same as the 130.
The reason the 85 upper bracket is a one year only, is that the 85 alternator is the same diameter as the 144. So, since it is the same dia, the upper bracket clears the hood. When they switched to the 130, the bracket curve changed to reflect a more ridgid angle for robustness. I later made a stabilizing bracket for the back of the alternator that goes to cyl#3 and is longer. That way, less exhaust heat makes it's way into the alternator.There were no wiring changes either. I just plugged it in and added a ground wire just to be safe.
Oh, I used a 92 -96 corvette alternator.
Larry wouldn't have to change the upper bracket like I did. He would only have to change it if he uses the 130 alternator.

Last edited by coupeguy2001; Oct 28, 2012 at 12:27 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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The addition of the rear brace sounds like a big plus. I've read about stress failures of the alternator drive frame end.

Tomorrow the moon goes "FULL"!

Larry - it sounds like you've a direction to go now!
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Old Oct 28, 2012 | 03:35 PM
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Thanks guys, I'm on it, My brackets are beefy but I can make them more sturdy if necessary
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Old Oct 28, 2012 | 04:19 PM
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Thanks again guys, I bought a new 200 amp alt, its on the way

Last edited by LD85; Nov 23, 2012 at 05:03 PM.
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Old Nov 23, 2012 | 05:05 PM
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Installed the 200 amp alternator today, pretty much a bolt in deal, no mods for my set up,.,,, except

I added one 8 gauge wire from the alternator to the battery and I left the stock wire in its place.

all in all it took 1 hour to mount it and hook it up

I bought this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360502064532...S:1123&vxp=mtr
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