FORD TRACTOR 12 VOLT CONVERSION ALTERNATOR DETAILS

Here is another photo of the alternator installation on my front distributor 8N tractor.

The bottom bracket is a simple "H" with the bottom legs bolted to the stock generator mounting point and the top legs bolted to the alternator base. I left some room for washers to adjust the exact front-to-rear position to line up the belt. You will want to use some type of locking nuts on these bolts. After mine shook loose several times, I switched to the nylok type hardware with the nylon locking ring built into the nut. Crown nuts with cotter pins or safety wire would also work. Vibration just seems to shake any non-locking hardware loose. I indexed my alternator so the connector was on top to keep the wires away from the manifold. It would have been better to rotate it so the connector was at the bottom and better protected from weather. Water running off the hood killed my alternator within 6 months! That experience makes me wonder if a tractor or marine grade alternator would last longer.

The top bracket had to be cut and welded so it would attach to a convenient head bolt. I was very disappointed in this part, the slotted part should have been made in an arc for it to work properly with the way the alternator swivels. Look for an original bracket from an older chevy. These have the curved slot and can be easily modified to work on your tractor.

When I got done, the alternator pulley ended up in the exact same place as the old generator pulley, so I was able to use the original length belt. Most brackets move the alternator out and need a longer belt.

NEW PAGE! I have added a page of diagrams for alternator brackets, a pulley, and a nice wiring junction plate that will allow you to use a standard 6 volt harness without cutting and splicing wires. Also included is a how-to for gutting a front-mount coil so you can use the better round can coil on a front mount engine. All of the images and most of the descriptions were created by Mr. Alvin Whaley, Dalton GA. Check it out HERE.

BUYER BEWARE !

Some of the replacement wiring harnesses out there are not weatherproof! If your tractor is going to be used or parked out in the weather, the wiring harness MUST be weatherproof or it will not last very long.

If you need to know how to make your own weatherproof harness or how to weatherproof one you have already purchased, go HERE.

If you need or want more in-depth information about how the Delco alternators are supposed to work, Check out my Deep Delco page.

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"Get the Manuals" appears in many places on this site. This generates no revenue for the site, it's just my best advice for the new owner of any potentially dangerous machinery. The Operators Manual, Shop Manual, Parts Book, and other printed information are easy to find on Amazon and other sites. The images below are linked to the site that sells manuals on CD. That's what I use.