alternator questions

[UnderdogGN]

hi guys, i think i have a weak alternator that is causing my knock. The other day, with the parking lights and dual fans on, the scanmaster showed the voltage to be in the 12's. Should i need an alternator upgrade, or should i just have the stock alt. rebuilt? Ive heard of using an alt off of an old school sbc, an impala ss, a 4.9 caddy etc. Which one is the best? I dont really want to mess with alot of wiring, so is there one that just plugs in? Also, i dont have a/c or heat anymore so is there some kind of bracket just for the alt. and no a/c? One more thing, has anyone had luck with wrapping the uppipe and downpipe with exhaust wrap?
help me out here please
thanks

 

[Jerryl]

Was the 12V reading at idle?

 

[UnderdogGN]

the reading jumps around in the 12's at idle and when going down the road

 

[Jerryl]

Sounds like the alternator is in fact going bad. If you are seeing it at cruise speed with the fan off, the it is the alternator. An upgrade will usually be better but that is not always necessary.

Did this start suddenly?
What condition is your battery in?

 

[UnderdogGN]

I dont think it started suddenly, but i didnt check it before i got a scanmaster which was a few months ago. The battery seems ok, but it has junk battery cables (non origional). Do you think i should just get a rebuilt alt? The only electronic accesories i have are dual fans, a light up boost guage, scanmaster and the factory lights.
thanks

 

[Jerryl]

At cruising speed and the fan off, you should have plenty of feed form the alternator if it is good. Did you verify and clean your grounds?

Sitting in traffic with the dual fan running could drain the battery though as the alternator can not keep up. This is possibly why the IC cars had a larger alternator. They really did not have any other major accessories.

You can have the alternator checked for free at any automotive store.
If you need to replace, then upgrade.