[67OldsGuy]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, but am looking for some advice on my 67 Olds 98 conv. I've had the voltage regulator replaced twice in the 6 years I've owned this daily driver (Apr-Oct). It has worked well, but currently it's not holding a charge especially at night w/lights on... I know I'm in trouble when the 8-track player goes all warbly!!! Anyhoo... there's another discussion thread here for a '50 Pontiac where they're talking about converting to a 6-volt alternator to fix cranky voltage regulators (see link below). Are some VR's better than others? If it's not too technical, I'd like to do it myself. Or, if it's just a matter of slapping on a $60 VR every couple years, it might be no biggie. What do you think?

http://forums.aaca.org/ubbthreads.ph...or_6_volt_HELP

[joe_padavano]

$60 voltage regulator?!?!? The regulator for your car is about $10 at RockAuto.com. If you don't care about being completely stock, it's very easy to convert to a newer internal regulator alternator. The 10SI/12SI series is a pretty easy drop-in, or you can score a CS130 from a 90s vintage GM at a wrecking yard. Find the CS130 with the mounting ears 180 deg apart. A friend of mine did that swap on his 64 Grand Prix and is very pleased. The CS130 is 105 amps vs. the stock 37 amps.

[67OldsGuy]

Thanks for the tip! I'll check out that website, and the lead on the cs130 and go from there.

[OldsDoug]

I'll be dogged - I had a similar question; this is timely. Joe (anyone), do you have any thoughts about a new OE-style electromechanical regulator vs a replacement solid-state one that's in the same can? I don't particularly want to convert to the internal-regulator-style alternator. Victim is a '70 Cutlass, and price is not a factor. Thanks!

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted By: OldsDoug

I'll be dogged - I had a similar question; this is timely. Joe (anyone), do you have any thoughts about a new OE-style electromechanical regulator vs a replacement solid-state one that's in the same can? I don't particularly want to convert to the internal-regulator-style alternator. Victim is a '70 Cutlass, and price is not a factor. Thanks!

Doug, are you saying that there is an aftermarket electronic regulator in the original Delco package? Cool, I have not seen that before. There IS a Delco factory electronic external regulator, which is available from RockAuto. Looks like this:



Frankly, if appearance is not an issue, I'd just go with a 10SI or CS130. In any case, I'd go with the electronic regulator. No relay contacts to arc and wear out.

[OldsDoug]

Originally Posted By: joe_padavano

Doug, are you saying that there is an aftermarket electronic regulator in the original Delco package? Cool, I have not seen that before.

Hope I can get this in before they take down the forum! Yeah, they've been around for years - I thought you might have run across one. You can tell by the weight of them... the first one I ever handled was very light and had a riveted cover... got curious about it and drilled out the rivets, and there was a little circuit board! I can't remember the brand, but most of them are that way now, I think - the exceptions being the Delco and Niehoff ones that are the $60.00 ones. The "Trak Auto" ones (cheapo) seem to be this electronic style. More after the forums come back! Thx-

DK

[OldsDoug]

Wayll... I have a picture of one of the electronic ones, but dunno how to post it here, if it can be done...

[OldsDoug]

"Try 'er now, Mister Kyle!" - Scotty, "The Dooooomsday Machine", _Star Trek_

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by OldsDoug

"Try 'er now, Mister Kyle!" - Scotty, "The Dooooomsday Machine", _Star Trek_

Kewl. Thanks. I found them on line as well. Not very expensive.

[OldsDoug]

Roger that... my research indicates that the electronic ones seem to be the ones under $20... the OE style are the ones in the $50/$65 range. I just discovered that the one that was on my car was an electronic aftermarket one that I had swapped the cover for a Delco cover (bad grammar).

D