I just noticed that my alternator is hot after running the car for a few minutes. There have been some recent wiring issues. Is the alternator bad or do I have a wiring issue or voltage regulator or all?
Thanks,
Mike
:confused:

1969 X11 Small Block

Several things will cause this. Short, too much load, both being complete opposites of each other BTW....What issues have you been having?
elaborate please...

Alternators do get pretty hot. Make sure the belt isn't too tight causing the bearing to overheat. If the charging system voltage is Ok then I suspect you're fine. You should be seeing about 14 volts. Charging voltage will likely fall back to 13.5 or so once the battery is charged and the alternator warms up. Anthing less than that and you may have a wireing problem.

wiskeesour,
The electrical issues I am having are: Oil pressure light stays on, guage lights don't work and one of the wires that go to the voltage regualtor had all its plastic insulation melted away. The harness has been hacked over the years with many splices. I hope this helps. Thanks!
Mike

sounds like a short in there somewhere. Fix the wires...in the mean time take the alternator to a-zone and have it bench tested. thats free...

You should be seeing about 14 volts. Charging voltage will likely fall back to 13.5 or so once the battery is charged and the alternator warms up. Anthing less than that and you may have a wiring problem.If you have a externally regulated alternator, and are getting more than that (15+ volts) then you have regulator issues as the alternator is at max output, which which will make them hot.

one of the wires that go to the voltage regualtor had all its plastic insulation melted away
Which wire? Is it the red one? If so, it would replace the burnt section of the wire and get a new regulator, or convert to a internally regulated alternator. (easy to to)

Thanks for all your answers.