Alternator/voltage regulator

[baggins987]

Checking these to see if battery was overcharging leading to leaking -

Voltage across battery terminals @ ~2K rpm: 14.0 V

Voltage across cable ends with battery removed: 16.25 V

I think the 14.0 V reading means the alternator/voltage regulator are OK.

Any other ideas on why the battery could have started leaking?

[So Cal Mark]

depends where it's leaking from; top, side or bottom

[baggins987]

It's leaking from the top. (Not around the posts.)

[baggins987]

Has anyone replaced the alternator with something other than the Bosch? Like a Ford or GM product?

[manoa matt]

You can take the alternator to autozone or murray's and have then check the alternator and the voltage regulator for free.

Here is a link to some alternators at parts amarica. Here in Hawaii its checker, but in Chicago its murrays, same store.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList ... Alternator

77's came with a 55amp alternator, the search was for a 79 spider.
You could upgrade to a 65 amp, take your old alternator with you to make shure the mounting flanges are the same.

Did you add any water to the battery recently? It MUST be steam distilled water. Regular tap or spring water will cause the battery to act erratically.

Matt

[baggins987]

It's a sealed battery; s'far's I know you can't add water.

Thanks for the link to Parts America.

[So Cal Mark]

most sealed batteries need water added periodically, just pry the caps off. unless it's an Optima

[mbouse]

it doesn't sound like an alternator issue to me. but, because you've titled the post this way.....

if you find that you need an alternator, i have one available. Rebuilt for an external regulator 68-77 spider. the alternator has only about 500 miles on it.

It was very recently replaced on what became my '74 parts car.

[baggins987]

Checking these to see if battery was overcharging leading to leaking -

Voltage across battery terminals @ ~2K rpm: 14.0 V

Voltage across cable ends with battery removed: 16.25 V

I think the 14.0 V reading means the alternator/voltage regulator are OK.

I was told later that the voltage with battery removed should be 14.0, and something closer to 12V with the battery in place. - Which would mean the alternator was overcharging & cooking the battery.

The setup in my '77 is a Bosch alternator w/internal VR mounted to DS of the engine. Reading previous posts, it seems like it's bad juju to try to switch from internal to external varieties. But thanks for the offer.