regulator blues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RTHarvey · 01-01-2023, 11:17 PM

I have a 1967 long step side, 283V8, 4-speed. A while back I started having regulator problems--occasionally it would run up to 16 or 17 volts, so I thought I would replace the regulator. I went to O'partsstore and bought their store brand electro-mechanical regulator. Seemed to work OK. I came back to the truck a few days later and the battery was dead. It was a 5-year-old 3-year battery, so I thought that was just the end and bought another one. I few days later that battery was dead too. I goofed around looking for the cause, and discovered that the new regulator was drawing about 1.8 amps when the ignition was turned off. I filed off a pretty big bump on the points of the original (I believe The Original Delco-Remy) and put it back in. No current draw, and it works fine. I took the new one back and got a replacement. I tried it, and it works OK, but it is kind of erratic (bounces around between 12 and 15 volts) and buzzes loud enough to be heard in the cab. I put the original back in, so now I have alternator and regulator 50+ years old...but they work fine. I'm thinking about either looking around for another original Delco-Remy regulator, just in case, or for less than $150 I can buy a 100A Powermaster alternator with an internal alternator and a little adaptor harness, so I don't have to even have to think about how to wire it up. Any suggestions?

**Steeveedee** · 01-01-2023, 11:56 PM

Sad to say, the Chinese stuff is at some point all we will be able to buy, due to the transfer of infrastructure. Not a happy-making thought.

**Sheepdip** · 01-02-2023, 12:08 AM

I changed out my old charging system a couple of years ago mainly because I went to dual electric fans and got the A/C up and running. Those fans can pull up to 60 amps combined alone so the old 70 amp stocker would not have come close to keeping up.

I went with the Power Master 150 amp alternator and 86'd the stock external regulator charging system.
150 amps is probably about max on a V-belt drive system as it requires good tension to keep from squealing under load, I replace belts every year to year and a half anyway so it's not an issue for me.

RichardJ · 01-02-2023, 12:37 AM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I am using the newer external solid-state regulator.

Mike C · 01-02-2023, 11:48 PM

I would go with a 63 amp Delco 10si and the conversion harness. That requires no additional wiring. If you go with the 100 amp alternator you will have to change out the charge wire.

72SB · 01-03-2023, 12:13 PM

IMHO, if using a VR, get a solid state one. Tuff Stuff, made in USA. Got mine on Amazon

**MikeB** · 01-03-2023, 02:07 PM

I converted to a 12SI internally-regulated alternator in the mid-1990s. It's a rebuilt AC Delco and it still works fine. Much better than the antique clickety-clack external regulator as well as more current output.

MARKDTN · 01-04-2023, 09:53 AM

I too would change to a 10si or 12si alternator with regulator. I would not use any house brand, only a real Delco reman.

If the alternator is good, then the solid state regulator is a good part. I think it is a Delco p/n F662. I have also seen Ford solid state regulators grafted in, but you have to change the plug to use those.

**HO455** · 01-04-2023, 04:01 PM

You might try looking around for a rebuild shop. Here in Portland there are two I've used.
At one of them the owner told me most of his work is from auto repair shops that are tired of having to do warranty work, after replacing bad alternators with new or reman alternators. Basically the quality of replacement parts is so bad now that local rebuilders see to have become the better option.

RTHarvey · 01-07-2023, 12:08 AM

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll see what I can do to stay Delco.

**Accelo** · 01-07-2023, 12:33 AM

The replacement obviously never disconnected the field coil when the ignition was off.

I use this guy to rebuild the regulators;
From: Tim Bartsch <corvettend@gmail.com>
voltage regulator
I paid $135 to completely restore the Regulator.
Excellent communication.
The regulator is put on a test stand and got up to temp and checked and verified that way. Couldn't be happier with his work. Cosmetics are first class also.
Just another option and less expensive than changing out the system if you don't have to.
Cheers

01-01-2023, 11:17 PM	#1
RTHarvey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 60	regulator blues I have a 1967 long step side, 283V8, 4-speed. A while back I started having regulator problems--occasionally it would run up to 16 or 17 volts, so I thought I would replace the regulator. I went to O'partsstore and bought their store brand electro-mechanical regulator. Seemed to work OK. I came back to the truck a few days later and the battery was dead. It was a 5-year-old 3-year battery, so I thought that was just the end and bought another one. I few days later that battery was dead too. I goofed around looking for the cause, and discovered that the new regulator was drawing about 1.8 amps when the ignition was turned off. I filed off a pretty big bump on the points of the original (I believe The Original Delco-Remy) and put it back in. No current draw, and it works fine. I took the new one back and got a replacement. I tried it, and it works OK, but it is kind of erratic (bounces around between 12 and 15 volts) and buzzes loud enough to be heard in the cab. I put the original back in, so now I have alternator and regulator 50+ years old...but they work fine. I'm thinking about either looking around for another original Delco-Remy regulator, just in case, or for less than $150 I can buy a 100A Powermaster alternator with an internal alternator and a little adaptor harness, so I don't have to even have to think about how to wire it up. Any suggestions?

01-01-2023, 11:56 PM	#2
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,218	Re: regulator blues Sad to say, the Chinese stuff is at some point all we will be able to buy, due to the transfer of infrastructure. Not a happy-making thought. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

01-02-2023, 12:08 AM	#3
Sheepdip Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Waterford California Posts: 2,422	Re: regulator blues I changed out my old charging system a couple of years ago mainly because I went to dual electric fans and got the A/C up and running. Those fans can pull up to 60 amps combined alone so the old 70 amp stocker would not have come close to keeping up. I went with the Power Master 150 amp alternator and 86'd the stock external regulator charging system. 150 amps is probably about max on a V-belt drive system as it requires good tension to keep from squealing under load, I replace belts every year to year and a half anyway so it's not an issue for me.

01-02-2023, 12:37 AM	#4
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,418	Re: regulator blues If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I am using the newer external solid-state regulator. Attached Images __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC

01-02-2023, 11:48 PM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Re: regulator blues I would go with a 63 amp Delco 10si and the conversion harness. That requires no additional wiring. If you go with the 100 amp alternator you will have to change out the charge wire. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

01-03-2023, 12:13 PM	#6
72SB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 734	Re: regulator blues IMHO, if using a VR, get a solid state one. Tuff Stuff, made in USA. Got mine on Amazon

01-03-2023, 02:07 PM	#7
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,453	Re: regulator blues I converted to a 12SI internally-regulated alternator in the mid-1990s. It's a rebuilt AC Delco and it still works fine. Much better than the antique clickety-clack external regulator as well as more current output. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-04-2023, 09:53 AM	#8
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,141	Re: regulator blues I too would change to a 10si or 12si alternator with regulator. I would not use any house brand, only a real Delco reman. If the alternator is good, then the solid state regulator is a good part. I think it is a Delco p/n F662. I have also seen Ford solid state regulators grafted in, but you have to change the plug to use those. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

01-04-2023, 04:01 PM	#9
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,929	Re: regulator blues You might try looking around for a rebuild shop. Here in Portland there are two I've used. At one of them the owner told me most of his work is from auto repair shops that are tired of having to do warranty work, after replacing bad alternators with new or reman alternators. Basically the quality of replacement parts is so bad now that local rebuilders see to have become the better option. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

01-07-2023, 12:08 AM	#10
RTHarvey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 60	Re: regulator blues Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll see what I can do to stay Delco.

01-07-2023, 12:33 AM	#11
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,198	Re: regulator blues The replacement obviously never disconnected the field coil when the ignition was off. I use this guy to rebuild the regulators; From: Tim Bartsch <corvettend@gmail.com> voltage regulator I paid $135 to completely restore the Regulator. Excellent communication. The regulator is put on a test stand and got up to temp and checked and verified that way. Couldn't be happier with his work. Cosmetics are first class also. Just another option and less expensive than changing out the system if you don't have to. Cheers



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