|
|
Thread: Silver box in engine bay
|
mwpayne1
Redlining
Posts: 239
|
posted March 06, 2012 09:14 PM |
|
Silver box in engine bay
Hate to ask a N00B question, but do I need that with my 85 dizzy (74 truck), the box on the driver side, just right of the washer tank. Haven't tried unplugging it to see what might happen, thought I'd ask first. Making room to install direct fire plate hopefully.
|
|
jm1fd
Revvin Up
Posts: 83
|
|
posted March 07, 2012 05:23 AM |
|
Funny you should ask this...I've been spending evenings this week cleaning up the wiring harness on my truck so I can eliminate lots of those boxes (and wires).
There's several "boxes" over there. Is it a big one or a little one? The big box with about 8 wires going into it is the voltage regulator. You need that one unless you've gone to an internally regulated alternator. The little boxes are relays, and the only one that needs to be kept around after your emissions and original ignition bits are gone is the horn relay. My horn relay is located under the washer tank.
|
|
mwpayne1
Redlining
Posts: 239
|
|
posted March 07, 2012 05:42 AM |
|
|
Yep, its the big one. Not sure if I have the upgraded alternator or not..the 'current' meter in the truck never has worked, that I know of. I'll look further into it, and thanks!
|
|
jm1fd
Revvin Up
Posts: 83
|
|
posted March 07, 2012 10:33 AM |
|
How many wires go to your alternator?
If there's one big wire and 2 little wires, then more than likely you've got an internally regulated one.
If there's one big wire and 3 or 4 little ones, then you've got an externally regulated one.
Post a pic if you want...
|
|
mwpayne1
Redlining
Posts: 239
|
|
posted March 07, 2012 01:56 PM |
|
|
One big wire, then a plug with 3 little ones. Guess I gotta keep the box.
|
|
jm1fd
Revvin Up
Posts: 83
|
|
posted March 07, 2012 05:03 PM |
|
|
Or swap out the alternator for one from an RX-7. I'm putting an FD alternator on my truck.
|
|
mwpayne1
Redlining
Posts: 239
|
|
posted March 07, 2012 05:34 PM |
|
|
Good idea. Any wiring mods I need to do for the swap, or plug and play?
|
|
jm1fd
Revvin Up
Posts: 83
|
|
posted March 08, 2012 05:18 AM |
|
It is not plug and play. You'll have to put some jumpers in the voltage regulator connector, and you'll have to change the square connector at the alternator out for a t-shaped one. There are diagrams that show what terminal on the alternator does what. It is pretty simple, usually one terminal goes to the warning light, and one terminal goes to a keyed ignition 12V source.
If you go for a higher output alternator (S5 or FD), you should also upgrade the size of the output wire to handle more current.
|
|
sparky
Redlining
Posts: 299
|
|
posted March 08, 2012 09:44 PM |
|
Check out this thread. Found some links for alt wiring and pins.
http://www.mazdarepu.com/board/viewthread.php3?FID=2&TID=1988
|
|
|
|
