So my '79 has a bad voltage regulator. Can I take an '83 alternator (with internal regulator), and replace the old alt with it? How hard would this be, and how would I connect it to the 79's charging system?


Thanks!
Matt

 

Jeff or Wacky posted about two months ago on what needs to be done to make it work. I will look for it if you can not find it, I still need to do this to my car.

You have to clip and tie one or two of the wires together.

 

You can remove the voltage reg and loop a couple wires in the 6 pin connector. Or maybe it's only one wire in the later setups? Anyway, I've converted both my REPUs, Cosmo and even a GLC to the later internal type alternators. It's pretty straight forward if you know which two wires to use. One is hooked to a source that is switched on with the ignition switch. The other is connected to the alt or gen light in the dash cluster (idiot lights). Off the top of my head, I couldn't tell you which terminal is which in the T shaped connector in the back of the alternator. The info is here on the forum somewhere.

 

Hi Matt
try this site, see if info there helps-
http://www.rx7.org/public/altxref.html
good luck
Stu Aull
80GS
Alasak

 

Thanks!

 

Ok.. I searched EVERYWHERE on this forum and I can't find any info on how to re-wire this thing. If anyone can give me the steps, that would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks!

 

You didn't look hard enough, here is your info.

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157054

 

Great Info Rogan, I have searched for info severl times and never seen that one.

 

Thanks to Jeff20B again for this info. I dont know what I would do wihtout him. Anyways, here it is:

1. Unplug the external voltage regulator. In the harness, you will find the following wires: YL, WB, BLg, B and BY

Place a jumper between YL & BY and WB and BLg

2. Install the 81+ alternator. In the origianl 3-wires pigtail, locate WB and connect it to the alternator's upper terminal (2-wire pigtail).

You can either elimnate the orig 3-wire pigtail completely or just use a jumper wire. If you decide to elimnate it, there 2 wires that you will not use. Be sure to secure them.

3. Install the original thicker wire to the back of the altenator.


ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

install the alternator and just find a wire that has voltage when the engine is running. this will provide juice to the altenator's FIELD terminal (the upper terminal in the pigtail).

 

Not bad for a guy who doesn't even own a 1st gen.