I can't understand why my battery inconsistantly 'boils over' through the seams after having to replace the alt & battery & the voltage regulator. The problem I believe is the reg & my of lack abilty to correctly set the voltage of new Delco part. Secondly I'm not sure its even installed correctly since I've read conflicting things: does it require the 'rubber nuts' /should the plug be on the side or bottom positioned? Is there a factory ground wire/strap required to ground the reg in the 1st place. All other wires & connections look good. Looking for some smart advice since this problem has become a nuissance to a near perfect car. Thanks in advance.

1968 327 coupe / orig & stock

[This message has been edited by Joe R (edited 07-19-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Joe R (edited 07-19-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Joe R (edited 07-19-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Joe R (edited 07-19-2001).]

Not an expert on this one but I just put a new regulator on my 67 as part of a major rebuild and the regulator worked fine right out of the box, I did use the rubber nuts but I woudn't think that is critical. There is a ground wire that attaches with a sheet metal screw to the base, below the painted cover.

Didn't understand you comment about the connector being on the side or bottom. The thing mounts at an angle and my connector attaches on the drivers side but the wires point slightly down (connector up).

I hate to ask the obvious but check that you have the connector on right. Tab on connector should face the rear of the car.

Mark M.

A couple of thoughts...
Could you possible be running an alternator with internal regulator PLUS a separate external regulator ??? Also, have you had the batter itself tested ???

Thanks for the scoop & both replies make good sense. Never thought of aftermarket alt w/int reg corrupting the charging system. With all this being true how does one buy an alt over the counter & have the application correct for the car? I guarentee I'm not the only car running around equipped this way with 2 volt reg's; ext & int. Sounds goofy writing it.

joe
The internal regulated alternators did not become widely available until 73, I doubt that any first generation camaro had an internal reg from the factory. You will find that the 2 prong connector on the back of the alternator is different between the 2. One (external - if I remember right) has the 2 blades in this = configuration. The other has them arranged like this -- . Hope this helps some.

------------------
Rick Schaefer
68 Camaro
72 El Camino (http://members.home.net/jimmy4/rick1972elky.html)
TPI350/700r4 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/ricks%20motor%20-L)

Rick, your point is the thing I was suggesting to check ... if Joe had somehow ended up with an alt w/int reg ... it wouldn't be the first time someone was given a wrong part that looks cosmetically correct or a part that will fit but will not work correctly .

thanks guys I looked @ the original alt from 1968 the part # is correct. I believe its a 61 amp. Last year I purchased over the counter re-man. [ I figured at that time the orig was shot] Good news is I believe it's fine since the alt light went off when I changed the volt reg-which had me again going nuts this summer. I looked at the 2 alt's -they are identical in every way-especially in the back-2 connections only- I do rememeber when it was installed though something hooked up different. How do I TELL IF THIS ONE HAS AN INTERNAL REG? & Where its marked 'grd' on the back should there be something coming from that screw? I drove it today -it was very hot here-everything with the systems looked perfect am I GOING NUTS?

It appears you have gotten the correct alt from parts man.

The rubber nuts are for vibration isolation, that's all. I punched mine out because at one time, the bolts rusted to the nuts. Replaed them with 1/4-20 screws and locknuts and bolted it right to the rad support.

As for which way the connector goes, I think there's only one way to bolt on because of three bolt pattern.

The most correct way to set the mechanical regulator, providing the cover is screwed on and not riveted, is to place a regulator thermometer over the cover and see what the ambient temp is of the regulator. Take this temperature, and look-up the corresponding voltage and adjust the voltage coil to reflect the same reading, increasing spring length increases voltage.

After that, one could set the current limit, but, voltage would be enough.

However, in today's modern technology, you might have gotten an electronic regulator in an external regulator frame. and there might not be any adjustment.

Place your DVM across the battery terminals and measure charging voltage. At no time, load or no load, should voltage go above 14.8 volts. Ideally, 13.5-13.8 is good. If all fails, go to Sears and have them put the VAT-40 machine across it and let the machine show you whats wrong.

Everett 68/350/PG/11.90/115mph