[1963 white nova]

i have a 63 nova with a 6 cyl.i bought a new alternator and battery to get it running.now that it is the alternator will not charge .i put a voltmeter on it and its topping out at 14 to 14.2 when above idle.but it wont charge.when i remove either battery cable the engine dies.can someone help me with this?

 

[Dave B.]

My first suspect would be the voltage regulator. In the '60s and early '70s, these were external to the alternator, usually mounted on the back side of the radiator support. The most common failure point was a thin wire inside the regulator that would melt when the system was overloaded. You can check the basic workings by removing the cover from the regulator and looking for the remains of the missing connection. While you're in there, you can also check to see that the 'points' aren't damaged or welded together.

Other possibilities are corroded battery terminals, loose wiring connections, dirty or loose ground connections, etc.

I'm not sure if it will help, but here's a nice diagram and explanation of how the charging system works in GM cars from the '60s:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain1.shtml

 

[Lugnut79]

I would suspect voltage regulator as well

 

[Novaman Oscar]

mmmm this kind of sounds like the problem i have maybe someone can help me as well..for one my battery drains when the car is off and 2nd i had a friend juice me to get the car started and i left it on for about 20 mins to see if it would charge and then i turned it off and tryed to start it and nothing the battery was still dead..dose this sound like the same thing?

 

[1963 white nova]

My first suspect would be the voltage regulator. In the '60s and early '70s, these were external to the alternator, usually mounted on the back side of the radiator support. The most common failure point was a thin wire inside the regulator that would melt when the system was overloaded. You can check the basic workings by removing the cover from the regulator and looking for the remains of the missing connection. While you're in there, you can also check to see that the 'points' aren't damaged or welded together.

Other possibilities are corroded battery terminals, loose wiring connections, dirty or loose ground connections, etc.

I'm not sure if it will help, but here's a nice diagram and explanation of how the charging system works in GM cars from the '60s:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain1.shtml

thanks...that worked!!!!! may have other question to follow>>>

 

[1963 white nova]

cool ride

My first suspect would be the voltage regulator. In the '60s and early '70s, these were external to the alternator, usually mounted on the back side of the radiator support. The most common failure point was a thin wire inside the regulator that would melt when the system was overloaded. You can check the basic workings by removing the cover from the regulator and looking for the remains of the missing connection. While you're in there, you can also check to see that the 'points' aren't damaged or welded together.

Other possibilities are corroded battery terminals, loose wiring connections, dirty or loose ground connections, etc.

I'm not sure if it will help, but here's a nice diagram and explanation of how the charging system works in GM cars from the '60s:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain1.shtml

dude that is a nice ride....my cousin has one thats been sitting on the ground for years.....wont sell it for anything(ir someone hasnt offered the right price yet) its just rotting away. ive looked for others but the four speed is a rare find. super nice ride though

 

[Novaman Oscar]

would this help with my problem? im assuming the regulator has never been changed but im not sure

 

[Lugnut79]

would this help with my problem? im assuming the regulator has never been changed but im not sure

Id throw a voltage tester across the battery teminals while its running and see if the alternator is putting out @14.4 volts. If not pull the alternator and have it checked before you start tearing into other things.

 

[Novaman Oscar]

Id throw a voltage tester across the battery teminals while its running and see if the alternator is putting out @14.4 volts. If not pull the alternator and have it checked before you start tearing into other things.

ya thats the thing i gotta get someone to jump me cause right now its dead all the juice has been drained..my friend put a volt tester on the battery when i had the car on, after he jumped me and i think it read like 12.05 or something like that maybe a lil lower

 

[Lugnut79]

Take the alternator off and take it to get tested. The cost is minimal. If it turns out to be good I'd look at the regulator. Make sure you get the right one. Internal or external regulator if it turns out to be bad.

 

[Novaman Oscar]

Take the alternator off and take it to get tested. The cost is minimal. If it turns out to be good I'd look at the regulator. Make sure you get the right one. Internal or external regulator if it turns out to be bad.

where can i get it tested at?

 

[Ryan V64SS]

i have a 63 nova with a 6 cyl.i bought a new alternator and battery to get it running.now that it is the alternator will not charge .i put a voltmeter on it and its topping out at 14 to 14.2 when above idle.but it wont charge.when i remove either battery cable the engine dies.can someone help me with this?

If you are reading 14 volts while running, it is charging. A battery normally sits at 12.6 volts so anything above that is the alt doing work. Why do you say it is not charging?

 

[Lugnut79]

the original problem in this thread was resolved. SInce then its kind of gotton sidetracked and another has started. Novaman, Napa or advance auto will test it for you

 

[Novaman Oscar]

the original problem in this thread was resolved. SInce then its kind of gotton sidetracked and another has started. Novaman, Napa or advance auto will test it for you

ahh sorry to side track it...ill get it tested