Junkyard 3G miracle!

Budget repairs/upgrades by Bill.

Upgraded the worthless alternator on my 74k mile original 1985 Turbo Coupe to 3G 130 amp. The old alternator couldn’t charge it’s way out of a paper bag.

This has got to be the best fix/improvement. Runs so much smoother, better acceleration, better fuel mileage. All the accessories now work as they were designed. The windows fly up and down, the a/c blows, really blows, cold. Radio sounds better and on and on. To mention nothing of the lights actually lighting the road ahead and I don’t have to worry about someone running up my rear because of the lame taillights. They’re not lame any more!

So how much did this cost? How about $35.04 total cost.

Went to the local U-pick-it and pulled an alternator from an early 90’s Taurus, says 130 amp right on the side. Cut the wiring harness going to alternator as far back as possible to save the most length. Changed out serpentine pulley for my double v-belt pulley, used lock washer from old alt to shim v-belt pulley from new alt case. Perfect alignment. Did have to remove an attachment boss that was sticking out from back of alt case so it would clear my distributor, but that’s what a sawzall is for. $21.52 tax included.

Bought 175 amp fuse and couple of 4 ga battery cables with ends on them already and a stainless bolt, nut and washers to attach main cable to fuse which bolted to starter relay terminal. $13.52 tax included.

Wired it up per instructions at NATO. Got to love the internet and all the info available! Thanks everyone!!

http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/0000...TC2007.jpg

We love a success story. Welcome to the board.

Good to see another four eye'd TC in great shape!! Do you have any more pics of your 85 TC?

Welcome to the board!!

Cheers,
Mike

Welcome, These guys have helped me with everything I have done including the 3G swap. If you need to know something just get on here and search,search and read it's there somewhere.

Is there a particular vehicle to get the alternator from that makes a particularly easy 3g swap or all the alts about the same? Wiring is easy, fitting is what I tend to have problems with.

bhazard

Taurus prior to 1996 with 3.0 Vulcan engine had the alt I used. Of course mounting is differnt on your 88 compared to my 85.

Next time you're at the yard look for a 94-95 3.0L Taurus. I read somewhere that all of the 130amp alternators have purple windings. The Taurus alternator has the larger case so you do need to do a bit of grinding, otherwise it fits fine.

Thanks for the welcome! It’s great to have the opportunity to gather and share info.

I do have a picture of the TC as it was when I got it, see below. Also attached a picture of the 5.0 Fairmont I built a few years back and still have.

TC is Med Charcoal with charcoal leather interior, sunroof, keyless entry, factory alarm, dual power seats w/lumbar, premium sound, etc, etc. The interior is as new, and the body has a few dings, no rust, but suffers sun damage to paint on roof, trunk and hood. The original 10-holes had what looked like brand new tires, but had to be close to 10 yrs old as they were badly weather cracked. Have seen this many times on older low mile cars. I did a carfax and mileage appears to be accurate. Car was in Santa Monica area until about 2004 when it came to Kansas.

Traded a 1995 Contour SE, 2.5, 5 spd (SVT before the SVT) with 185k (and typical wiring loom issues) even up for the TC. I think I came out alright.

Of course the TC needed some attention, but the car has exactly ZERO rust on body, frame, doors, trunk, etc. No timing belt cover and timing was way retarded. It seems to like 12 deg base timing now. Lots of rattles and bad speakers, etc. I installed new rubber in the doors and trunk, new speakers, re-attached loose door panels, charged up a/c, proper tune up, etc, etc. Sunroof only opens sliding back and forth, I think it should tilt up too, but not sure. Will need valve guide seals soon since it pukes smoke at startup sometimes. TC really should have a 5 spd, but I’m getting used to the C3 and it drives a lot better with proper charging system, like night and day.

I installed the 87 TC hood and have the intercooler setup waiting for install, along with a boost valve. Curious to see how it will do with about 15-18 psi. If all else fails, I have another 5.0, AOD combo in the shop looking for a home.

Sorry to write a book!

http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/0000...5tbird.jpg http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/0000...005068.jpg

Originally posted by bhazard:
Is there a particular vehicle to get the alternator from that makes a particularly easy 3g swap or all the alts about the same?

I got mine from a '90 SuperCoupe (110 amps) from the local pick & pull. About 23 bucks. It mounts perfectly after a little grinding.