I know this has been beaten to death, but i have a problem that just keeps coming back to me. A while back my buddy and i were talking and he said he put a 1 wire in his nova and said it would probably fix my problem that i was having w/the 3 wire (headlights would dim and volt meter would bounce when i turn on the turn signals) and volts drop at idle to about 12.8-13.2 (estimation). However, nothing much has changed! A few things about my car,

-Electric fans, turn on at about 185* (but voltmeter drops without them on)
-228/234 degree duration at .050, .480/.494 in. lift, with 1.5 ratio rockers and a 110° lobe separation.
-Idles at about 700 Rpm
-1 wire OEM alternator (from like a 74 nova or something like that i dont remember)

It seems like i should go back to the 3 wire, but i have put enough money into buying the new alternator and stuff that id like to keep it. I know everyone will probably tell me to go back to the 3 wire as well....but....is there something i can do to keep my 1 wire and fix my problem.

By the way, this is the second alternator. I just replaced the first one about 2 weeks ago, and the problem started right off the bat again! Thanks again!!!

~Paul

are you using relays to power the headlamps and the elec.fan?

are you using a underdrive crank pulley?

I had the same issue when using one, went back to stock crank pulley

-1 wire OEM alternator (from like a 74 nova or something like that i dont remember)


OEM alternators are 3 wire, and won't work well wired as a 1 wire. 1 wire alternators have a diff regulator that will allow 1 wire operation. Some powermaster alternators can be wired as a 1 or a 3 wire.

Check your crank to alt pulley ratio. http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/power_pulleys.html