I finished changing the generator on the 57 Bird to a 1G Ford alternator. Fits nicely and no installation problems. Road tested and all is well. I have charging 14.1 Volts at the battery terminals at idle. Regular battery voltage with the engine off. No current draw with everything off. In checking everything I pulled the positive battery cable off and it quits running. I thought it should remain running without the battery with an alternator. I am using a Ford 1G alternator 65 Amp, new external voltage regulator for that style of alternator. I have a MSD Billet Distributor, MSD6 and Petronix Ignitor II ignition. Could I be losing voltage to the ignition with the battery disconnected at idle? Below is the wiring diagram I used to install the alternator.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Answered my own question. Checked the MSD6 wiring diagram. The ignition box is wired directly to Bat positive. Removing the battery cable from the battery shuts off the MSD6.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Unless you have a magneto, it should die when you disconnect the batt. The reason light airplanes ran dual mags until recently is so you had an engine running even if your gen/alt, batt and one mag quit. Mags make their own electrickery. A dizzy relies on the batt/alt to run.

So it sounds like kudos on a job well done. Can you post a pic so I can see your mounting bracket arrangement?

I don't know if this will help your project, but I am stubborn and used a 60amp 1G Ford 3 wire alternator on my 57 Bird. The alternator is very common, cheap and easy to find in the local parts stores. I used a pick and pull alternator from a 66 Galaxie FE to mock it up. I used the stock Tbird bracket, the spacer and adjuster arm from the Galaxie. Basically, I just used longer bolts with spacers and washers from the hardware store for the bracket to the timing cover to move it forward enough to line up the stock belt. I did the same with the slide adjuster from the Galaxie but massaged it into an "S" shape to meet the adjuster bolt for the belt tension. The stock Galaxie spacer that goes between the alt body and inside of the bracket on the long bolt had to be ground off enough to fit. I trimmed some of the metal from the underside of the stock Tbird bracket to allow the alternator to swing low enough to accept the stock Tbird alt belt. You could use a longer belt with some trial and error to fit. Used a new voltage regulator for a 65 Galaxie. Works fine and looks stock unless you look really hard.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

From what I see it looks like it came outa the factory that way. Can't get better than that.

I still need to wrap and clean up the wiring routing. Also, there is a brace that runs from the water pump bolt to the stock generator bracket which is missing in the photo. It is also missing in my parts bin in the garage. Tbird places sell them for about 9 bucks so if I can't find it I will get one from them. It will take a longer bolt and spacers too.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Murphy's Law clearly states that you'll find yours as soon as you buy one and install it so it can't be returned.

Curious..? Mark, did your MSD dissy not already have an electronic ignition module similar to the ignitor?



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Yes.. they come "ready to run" with a Duraspark style magnetic pickup and reluctor.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto