i'm confused on what a one wire alternator means.i bought a new one for my 79.it's a 100 amp one wire, or you can use the the two prong plug that my old one used.if i go one wire,i can eliminate the plug?:confused: yeah, i know read the search results.i've done that.i'm still confused.. it seems like it's a whole lot easier just to plug it back in the original way.no one seems to agree on just what that one wire is.

A great site for electrical info and the inside on all alternated systems is at "www.madelectrical.com"

a one wire alt, has one wire.
They also aren't as good as the GM 3 wire internally regulated units.

http://www.classictruckshop.com/one_wire.php

after reading all that,i decided to just go with the stock 3 wire.luckily the one i bought you can do either.thanks for the links.

One wire alt. is just the main 10gauge wire at the battery terminal, they are ok, if you are going for the clean look, but they wont charge at Idle, I wont recomend, just go with a 75ish and run your field wire and the ten gauge wire and you are good to go. just remove your wiring from external regulator, find your key hot wire with a test light and run that to your field termnal on the alternator...

they'll charge at idle, after you've reved the motor and kicked the alt on.
However, they just aren't as good as a stock 3 wire alt.

i found a good deal on a nice chrome one on ebay.i just hooked up the 3 way route.hid the wires pretty good.after i got i found out it's a 100 amp,hope i don't fry something?

it'll only put out 100 amps, when 100 ams is needed.

Here's a good Pro/con on one wire alternators.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

it'll only put out 100 amps, when 100 ams is needed.

good,i was hoping that was the case.i don't like wiring,and it doesn't like me.man, i found out one thing the other day while troubleshooting my no turn over problem.that little neutral safety switch 2 bit thing.you ain't lightin a fire with out it. oh, and vette vet.thanks for the linky...look forward to your jokes.got any new ones?:lol:

they'll charge at idle, after you've reved the motor and kicked the alt on.
However, they just aren't as good as a stock 3 wire alt.

Do you just ask for a 73 or newer style alternator when you buy one? When did they go to the internal regulator?

76 or 77 I'm thinking is when they went to internal regulated.
I couldn't tell you what make/model to ask for. Mine is factory 78 caddy pieces. I don't even know the amps on mine, but it puts out like a frat girl though.