Some of you know that Zac (my son) has heavily damaged his 68 (have to replace the ENTIRE frontend!!!!).
As we have been going through what few parts are re-usable and acquiring replacement parts, I took a look at the voltage regulator and it is somewhat mangled. I thought since the damage appeared to be mostly to the cover, I would remove the cover and check to see if it appeared to be damaged inside. The regulator cover was riveted on (NEVER have seen a cover riveted to a voltage regulator). So I used a screwdriver to pry off the cover. What I found was NO COILS OR POINTS!!!! Inside was a circuit board and all solid state components! Anyone ever seen a regulator like this????? I called my local parts store (O'Reillys) and ask the mgr if he had ever seen a solid state voltage regulator. No. He then went and pulled two brands off the shelf, removed the cover screws and inside both were the typical coils/points.
Has ANYONE here ever seen or heard of a solid state voltage regulator (replacement) for the 60s-70s cars with an external regulator?? :confused:
From the outside, the one from Zac's car looks identical to the typical Delco regulator.

Auto zone sells one I know it is the WELLS brand I forget the part #.
I will update when I get home unless someone beats me to it.
I wanna say it's Wells # 315 though

ps. when I put mine on, I pulled the cover & put on the delco one, so it looks orig.

Oh & thier inexpensive too! like 13 bucks!

Search shows it to be the Wells VR715. I put one on my elky and the 64.

Search shows it to be the Wells VR715. I put one on my elky and the 64.
kinda thought I was wrong.............sorry

Yeah, a VR715 it is. :thumbsup: Works great.

Don't remember what the namebrand is but I got mine from NAPA. The guy behind the counter knew what I was asking for too. The only mod. I did was drilling out the rivits that hold the cover on and screwed an original AC cover so it looks like the original.

OK, great, that's what I needed to know. In all these years I've just never run across one. Do they seem to work OK and hold up under vibrations and under hood heat?

Wells 715, 11 and change at Autozone. So cheap I bought a spare;)

OK, great, that's what I needed to know. In all these years I've just never run across one. Do they seem to work OK and hold up under vibrations and under hood heat?
so far so good. going on a year, but for the low price, who cares? I'm gonna do like Rob & put a spare in the glovebox.

When I put in the electric fan and A/C I ordered an new 140 amp alternator. A soon as I started it up the old original regulator went bad and I blew out my headlights and dash lights (excessive voltage blew any bulbs that were on).

Installed the 715 and have been trouble free for about 4 years.

Yes, I've seen the electronic voltage regulators. I would use one in PREFERENCE to an old mechanical style.

1. They will hold the voltage to a tighter tolerance.
2. They should be less expensive than a mechanical style regulator.
3. No adjustments needed.
4. No "static" RF energy or voltage surges generated by the opening and closing of the mechanical points. Therefore, less likely to interfere with electronic ignitions.

Been running mine on my car for 7 years now..... never had a problem. I run halagon headlights instead of T-3's and I don't have the voltage flux. problems common if you use the old mechanical unit.

I posted a pic of the wells here:

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1199119#post1199119

When I put in the electric fan and A/C I ordered an new 140 amp alternator. A soon as I started it up the old original regulator went bad and I blew out my headlights and dash lights (excessive voltage blew any bulbs that were on).

Installed the 715 and have been trouble free for about 4 years.

Same here Rob, when I added my fans I had to upgrade my Alt. Had my friend at the shop build my alt out to 110amp. took it home and hooked everything up. As soon as I started the velle, it smoked my reg:sad: . Went down to NAPA and the guy gave me the above mentioned one:yes: . Heck I bought an extra and put it in the glove box. No problems here.:thumbsup:

Been running one 6 years here with no problem.

My EC still has original, but my '72 Valiant 318 got a new from Autozone solid state regulator at 150,000 miles. Lasted 5 yr and 50,000 miles until it started intermittent overvolting. Carquest unit has been on now for 22,000 miles. MOPARs converting points cars to MOPAR electronic ignition are instructed to replace the vibrator unit with a solid state. Guess the electronics don't like the juice the old ones provide. But I put together a Delta Marl IV CD ign kit for the 327 El Camino back in late 60's, and it ran fine for years with the old regulator.

My $0.02

OK, thanks a bunch guys. I bought two at Autozone, just over $14ea including tax! One is on Zac's car, the other is in the electrical parts cabinet.

I've got a higher end Blue Streak regulator in a finned aluminum case with a fuse on top. Very trick looking. I bought that sucker in '89 or '90 and it was something like $40 at that time. It's been on the car ever since. Wish I had a part number because I'm afraid some day it will go and I really like the look.

So are the solid state regulators a bolt-on, with no need to adjust anything? Can it just be installed as is whether you have a 37 amp alternator or 110?

I have one on my car since 99. I dont think the one I replaced was the original and im not sure if that was solid state either. Never took it apart, just replaced it because I was uncertain on its age and it was cheap insurance.

Cam, I got mine from Canadian Tire. Its going on 3 years now. No pulsing headlights, no problems at all. It was a straight bolt in. I'm not sure if it will take the 110 or not. I'm pretty sure it was around $20.00 though. Just keep your fingers crossed for a decent parts person. The person I had said it was in the computer, but had to be persuaded to continue looking for it. Daren

So are the solid state regulators a bolt-on, with no need to adjust anything? Can it just be installed as is whether you have a 37 amp alternator or 110?

Cam,
As far as I know, if your car has an alternator that uses an EXTERNAL type regulator, then the VR715 will work.
Yes, it is a straight plug and play regulator, it has the same 4 terminals as the original Delco type regulator. I don't know how long the one had been on my son's 68 (it was on the car when I bought it 5yrs ago and has worked fine since), but the ONLY reason that I replaced it was because of this. It got mangled like the rest of the frontend!!!!! :(
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h219/DZAUTO/68wreckfront.jpg
I didn't even know it was a solid state until I removed it and took the cover off of the regulator. That's why I asked the original question at the beginning.

Tom and Darren, thanks!

Also, with the Wells solid state regulator you dont get the lights getting brighter and dimming at idle.
Ron

Are the regulators rated for the amperage of the alternator or does it matter since they are regulating the voltage? I picked up some new stuff at an auction sale including some new 515 regulators. Never was much of an electrician and just used what the factory called for.