Mclaren Altenator

knsstang · Post by **knsstang** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:57 am

I changed my valve covers today and I noticed that I had an extra altenator plug. The extra plug was the wide one with the black wire with the orange stripe. The altenator that is connected to the car has a external regulator. Is this altenator on the car a hi-powered one, or has mine been changed by someone?

Post by **negusm** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:08 am

On my 85, the thick black wire with orange stripe is the charging wire that connects from the alt directly to the positive battery terminal via the positive side of the starter relay.

-Mike

knsstang · Post by **knsstang** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:38 am

I know on the 89mustang the altenators have built in regulators, mine has a small box on the left side of the engine comp near the air cleaner. Is that my voltage regulator?

Post by **negusm** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:45 am

knsstang wrote:I know on the 89mustang the altenators have built in regulators, mine has a small box on the left side of the engine comp near the air cleaner. Is that my voltage regulator?

It would help if you told us the year of your car.

But yes, the little silver box is the voltage regulator.

-Mike

knsstang · Post by **knsstang** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:55 am

My car is 1989. Why did mclaren use a different altenator than for? Is this one more durable or less expensive than the built in regulator. If I go to the parts store do I ask for a regulator or an altenator for a 89mustang or what? Will they know what i am talking about or will they tell me what their computer says should be in the car?

Post by **negusm** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:03 am

knsstang wrote:My car is 1989. Why did mclaren use a different altenator than for? Is this one more durable or less expensive than the built in regulator. If I go to the parts store do I ask for a regulator or an altenator for a 89mustang or what? Will they know what i am talking about or will they tell me what their computer says should be in the car?

As far as I know, asc didn't touch anything under the hood for 87-90.

When was the changeover for the internal VR? If it was in 1989 I could see two cars getting different alternators....but I doubt this.

It is possible somebody replaced the alternator with an older style...probably it was cheaper or free. I don't know enough about the newer cars to know for sure what has happened.

FYI: here is the standard voltage regulator:
http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Parts/F0 ... OR_TOP.jpg

If yours does NOT say "MOTORCRAFT" then it is and aftermarket one and not original.

The older alternators work fine...are no better or worse I think. The newer style with the built in regulator is nicer though.

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:36 pm

1987 thru 1990 asc changed nothing in the mechanics. i.e. engine - transmission - electronics. They did change the springs, using a lowering set to lower the car appox. 1 & 1/2 inches.

hanksgt · Post by **hanksgt** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:37 am

[quote="Sandy"]1987 thru 1990 asc changed nothing in the mechanics. i.e. engine - transmission - electronics. They did change the springs, using a lowering set to lower the car appox. 1 & 1/2 inches.

FWIW: My '89 (#176) is(was) all original and it has a Lestek alternator and external Ford VR. I took it to a local shop (Phoenix Generator) and he said even though it is stamped 100amp, it was only good for 50 max. It is a GM based unit, so he built an 83 amp GM unit and used the front of my housing (the part that had been machined to fit the Ford alternator bracket). He showed me how to connect it to my harness (without cutting anything on my car) and remove the regulator. It has been working fine for a couple of years, looks the one that came on the car. I saved all the old parts.

rlyons13 · Post by **rlyons13** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:32 pm

Whoa, whoa, whoa here a moment....

Sandy, did you say that the 87-90 McLarens have lowering springs from the factory? If yes, do you know the maker and the spring rates? I was planning to use a set of Motorsport B springs (same rate as the stock 5.0 springs, just 3/4 to 1 inch lower), but if lowering springs are already installed, well that saves me some money (not time though, as I plan on installing new control arms).

Post by **negusm** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:04 pm

rlyons13 wrote:Whoa, whoa, whoa here a moment....

Sandy, did you say that the 87-90 McLarens have lowering springs from the factory? If yes, do you know the maker and the spring rates? I was planning to use a set of Motorsport B springs (same rate as the stock 5.0 springs, just 3/4 to 1 inch lower), but if lowering springs are already installed, well that saves me some money (not time though, as I plan on installing new control arms).

I was not aware that the 87-90s had the springs. I thought it was only the coupes.

Too much to try to remember I guess.

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:21 pm

According to paperwork from McLaren the springs that your were going to install, Bob, are what is in there right now. I have to assume that all of the 'Verts had it, as my two 1990s are bone stock and each sit at the same ride height and it's definately lower than any stock Mustang from 1987 thru 1993. At a car show about 7 years ago my blue one was sitting next to a 1989 GT convert that was 100% original. We measured ground (pavement) to door handle bottom and mine was an inch and a quarter closer to the ground. When parked alongside my '86 coupe (Capri) the door sills are at the same height.
What I am not sure of is whether ascMcLaren swapped out the springs, -OR- the Motorsport B-300 springs were installed on line at Dearborn as part of ther D32 McLaren prep-package BY FoMoCo at Deareborn......I have no proof, but my hunch is that they left Dearborn with the springs allready in place. I mean actually Ford did so so much in the pre-assembly to aid ascMcLaren a different spring insertion is a little nothing....

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:51 pm

I fished out my "HERE'S HOW" Booklet from the Dearborn Assembly plant on "How we make the ascMcLaren Convertible" {Just in case ANYONE ever wants to deny that these were (at least partially) factory made......

THIS PERTAINS TO MODEL YEAR 1988 !!!

You might wanna save this info for your Grandkids.....

Mandatory:
LX V8 Coupe BodyStyle 66B
5.0Litre Engine
Power Equipment Group
{Pwr. Dr. Locks, Pwr. Wind. Pwr. Trunk Lid Release}
Am Fm Stereo/Cassette Electronicaly Tuned
Speed Control
Dual Electric Ext. Mirrors
Air Conditioning - Manual
Tinted Glass
Delete Illuminated Vanity Mirrors - Substitute Ford Conv't. Sun Visors
Tilt Steering Wheel (No 1990s had "Tilt Wheel, due to AIR BAG)
Install GT(s) Articulating Seats in Cloth
Premium Sound System
T-Top Doors Doors
Cowl Side Panel Reinforcements
Convertible / Police Reinforced Floor Pan
GT Front Fascia
Fog Lamps Wiring Assembly
Convertible Rear View Mirror with Lamp(s) & Wiring
Heavy Duty Pwr. Window Regulators
"P" Level Interior Trim (Means "GT" Items)
Convertible Cut Carpeting (Rolled Up, Taped & toss into trunk
Custom-Made Door Glass Door Glass

To Be Deleted:-
Headliner
Coat "J" Hooks
Rear Left/Right Quarter Panels & related trim
Dome Light/Bracket/Wiring assemblies
Interior Rear Window Garnish Moulding
Courtesy Light Switch Bracket & Assembly
Roof side Interior moulding
Windshield Garnish Moulding
Rear Seat & Cushion
Rear Seat Belt assemblies, brackets/bolts/ and belts (6)
Rear Seat Package Shelf
Electric Rear Deforster & related hardware & wiring
Luggage compartment trim & mat
Exterior Windshield mouldings, EXCEPT lower
Rear Window Exterior Mouldings
Trunk Lid Lock
Trunk Lid to be Taped down with Duct Tape
All exterior Ford, LX 5.0 & Mustang nameplates Deleted
Delete Pin Stripes at Paint Shop
Substitute 15" Police Style wheels with plain hub caps.

NOTE:
Articulating Seats are NOT available in Blue. Therefore, when unit
requires BLUE TRIM ... BEIGE Articulating Seats are to be substituted.

(Sandy Here: >> Meaning my Azura Blue came out the factory painted in Oxford White, with Regatta Blue trimed interior and Beige seats wearing dog dish hub caps ! Lovely!)

Now, after that beginning, there are 7 more pages ! Dealing with many other parts. Mufflers from the V8 LX were deleted and GT mufflers were used, The headrests came from Thunderbirds (why, I don't know, but I do know that they are not adjustable and do not go Up & down, and are seemingly "Fixed" ~

There are many many other changes, deletions, subsitiutions..... some of which are partially in code, and one can only guess what part of th ecar was affected. Lots of work around the cowl area and "A" Pillars foreign to me.

rlyons13 · Post by **rlyons13** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 5:12 pm

Sandy,

Yeah but, does it say anywhere if the springs were changed?

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:22 pm

No. But....THAT is because I was only lucky enough to steal (and I actually DID steal it) the BODY alterations. Short of the mufflers, I
don't have the 2nd part dealing with any(IF any > ??) mechanics, such
as shocks, springs, struts, chassis, alternators or Fuel. I do know that on the 1984-1986 'Verts, they substituted Lister (I think that's the brand ~ (outta Texas, I think) Alternators. I also know that such was the case for the 65 1990s. Do not know regarding the 1989s. But, IF they did NOT toch the springs....then why are they lower than a stock V-8 Mustang ?
Many "grey" areas that I was never able to find out, for posistive.

In the coupes they used McLaren designed springs, purpose built, as well as different tie rod tips. If I could ever get the chassis alterations, we'd know loads more....

I'll make a telephone call tonight & see IF I can find out more....

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