Alternator, which way to go ?
 

Picked up a new battery last week and the next day had my alternator light come on. Bought a PT brand 12 volt digital battery analyzer and found I had 11.67 volts from battery while sitting, had driven it a while with light on and had it on low amp charge for about an hour before testing, and 11.69 under load, radio, lights, heater fan going while running, so I would guess the alternator is bad.
I am going to remove it, have it tested and then probably have it rebuilt, it's a '76 and I don't know much of it's history, by the way I ordered a voltage regulator today, going to change out w/new, everything I can handle.
Could it just be the brushes, which I could change out or should I consider it the original and just have it rebuilt and call it good? 107,000 miles on the car.

I’d try swapping out the voltage regulator before removing the alternator. Does you alternator dash light come on when you switch on the ignition? If the bulb us out, you won’t get the excitation voltage to the alternator.

An alternator rebuild should be around 100$ try regulator first. If you take it out bearings and brushes and clean up armature is a minimum, then look at top of motor and clean up the crap that has accumulated , check grounds and connections.

[QUOTE=Jack Stands;10988065]I’d try swapping out the voltage regulator before removing the alternator. Does you alternator dash light come on when you switch on the ignition? If the bulb us out, you won’t get the excitation voltage to the alternator.[/QUOTE

Jack Stands, light is not burned out, comes on when I turn on the key, stays on while it is running, never stayed on till I installed the new battery in response to 2 consecutive mornings of a weak battery. Was used very little by my brother over the past 4/5 years, may be original alternator, was mentioned by another forum member that a weak battery could eat an alternator. Voltage regulator comes in tomorrow, installing it more for preventive maintenance than anything else, believe that the diagnostic test is correct and alternator is bad.

Will install voltage regulator before removing alternator but don't expect much to change. Will remove and deliver alternator for testing and possible rebuild, to many irons in the fire right now to do it myself. Just picked up air filter/straps, oil filter and oil, fuel filter and accumulator. Accumulator and fuel filter for preventive ,maintenance.

Some of the board like to rebuild them personally. There are some jobs I like to leave to and experienced pro. Alter and starter rebuilds are that type of thing. There is a shop in town in business for 50+ years and the guys that own the shop have done it all their lives. They rebuilt my El Camino alternator while I waited.

My sentiments exactly, I guy needs to know his limitations. ;)

Alternators and starters are in essence electric motors. Proper technique,basic electrical theory along with mechanical theory will serve you well. Not much to go wrong in either. Alternator-voltage regulator, windings, bearings, brushes, not much more. Starter, even less, windings, armature and contactor system, brushes and bearings. Bust it open and see what is what. Really the only thing not easily repaired is the mica in the armature, I haven't seen one that needed cutting. It can be done with a cut down hacksaw blade.

If I wasn't stretch so thin w/so many things that are beyond my control and out of my hands... Maybe in a couple of months...