Rough running after alternator failure

Jay Laifman · 10-19-2013, 08:33 PM

On my 73.5 T, my car was running really well. Then my alternator failed. At about the same time, I started getting really high oil pressure readings and the car ran very poorly.

My first thought was that the low voltage was causing the high readings and possibly messing up with my WUR.

Now I have a freshly rebuilt alternator. It charges great now. But the oil pressure readings are still on the high side and the car is running better, but still not really well like it was before the alternator went.

Any theories or thoughts on what is wrong or what I can test?

Thanks.

thumbdoctor · thumbdoctor's Garage

Is your car's ignition system operating with ignition breaker points?. If the alternator was over charging the pints / condenser may be damaged (burned). The ignition amplifier too.

Jay Laifman · 10-20-2013, 06:34 AM

Actually I'm running Pertronix. But I can call them tomorrow and see if that is a risk.

When you say "ignition amplifier" is that the CD unit? That would be a bummer if that is bad, as they are not cheap.

Oh, and I believe the alternator was undercharging. My VR was fine.

Jay Laifman · 10-23-2013, 11:52 AM

I spoke to Pertronix. This may be a broken message to people here. He said that Pertronix pretty much usually works or doesn't work. There is no in between rough running issue. He also said that if it does get damaged, it is from a power spike, not a lack of power.

I'm assuming that my alternator just faded to black. The VR was fine.

He did say I consider the CD unit too. He even suggested bypassing the CD and power straight to the coil. I have no idea if that's a good idea and I don't think I'm going to bother trying that one.