Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

1966 289 voltage regulator

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Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:15 AM
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Default 1966 289 voltage regulator

a while back my alternator died, so along with that i bought a new regulator. However i am now experiencing charge problems. is it possible that the regulator can cause problems with the charge? When i bought it i didn't realize that i had an electronic ignition, could i have bought the wrong one, or are they all the same for the 289's? The new alternator is good, i had it checked.
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:37 AM
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You might want to get an electronic regulator. A guy (read: 15 year owner, MCA gold judge) told me that electronic ignition (pertronix) will pick up the arc in a mechanical regulator and cause the engine to run rough. Not sure how this affects charging if at all, but thought I'd throw it out there since I just learned this. Paddock has them for about $40.
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 09:00 AM
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never heard that before ?!
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 12:51 PM
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I went with an electronic regulator and it solved my flickering light problem.
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 02:04 PM
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does it hook up the same way as the old regulator, and how much does it cost?
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 03:23 PM
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Almost if not all of today's Vreg's are electronic and they plug right in. In the old days when we had relay style regulators we used to adjust them to maintain a specific voltage output under load. The capacitor that's hooked to the Vreg serves as a line filter to minimize the pulsing going out to the rest of the DC circuits. So if you have an old style reg, make sure that cap is there and is working. The new electronic Vreg's do not have the same pulsing issue since they're solid-state devices.
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 04:54 PM
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Also, realize that there's a big quality difference between a $15 Autozone regulator and a $60 Napa regulator. Just because it's electronic doesn't mean it's built well.
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 07:55 PM
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Well i bought it from discount auto 9 monthes ago so im assuming it was electronic, but it was the 25 dollor won
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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Mine was about $20 at Auto Zone and it plugged right in and has been fine for almost a year. There was a very long tread about the quality of a import compared to an American one a while ago. I went in and said I wanted an electronic one and they only had the one that I got. Had he offered me a $20 one and a $60 one I probably would have dropped the $60.

The other thing is at least on mine, I could take the cover off the old one and put it on the new one for a stock look if I wanted. I didn't bother though.
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:45 PM
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same here, but i didnt bother either lol. So what else could the charge problem be? i havent taken it for a real drive yet, you guys think it just needs a chance to realy charge?



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