'63 Alternator Ground for Vintage Air

[Jim B.]

When installing Vintage Air on a SWC and repositioning the alternator to the driver side, will there be any electrical issue with running the alternator ground to the driver side horn mount vs the original shorter wire from the voltage regulator mounting screw? As the original ground doesn't go directly to the alternator, I just want to make sure that my change won't affect something else. Thanks for any guidance...

[Frank D.]

Re: '63 Alternator Ground for Vintage Air

When installing Vintage Air on a SWC and repositioning the alternator to the driver side, will there be any electrical issue with running the alternator ground to the driver side horn mount vs the original shorter wire from the voltage regulator mounting screw? As the original ground doesn't go directly to the alternator, I just want to make sure that my change won't affect something else. Thanks for any guidance...

I did nothing on my split window VA install besides using the Lectric Limited conversion harness to move the alternator to the driver's side; to wit; you won't have any issues even doing it as you cite above... You can test the conversion by measuring across the battery and you should get between 13.8V and 14.2V with the alternator charging correctly at a fast idle.

[Frank D.]

Re: '63 Alternator Ground for Vintage Air

BTW - I generated a list of tips for installing Vintage Air in a C2 (mostly 63 specific tho) - in MS-Word.
You can PM me your email address if you'd like to have a copy...

[Jim B.]

Re: '63 Alternator Ground for Vintage Air

Frank, Thank you so much for the VA install tips and the pics of the fan and clutch. Ordering both of the latter tonight, sure wish I had thought to ask the question earlier as it might have saved the electric fan installation that I really preferred not having on the car. I see you are also in FL so if I can get my temp back down to 200 max with the AC on, I'll really be grateful. Thanks again, jim

[Frank D.]

Re: '63 Alternator Ground for Vintage Air

Frank, Thank you so much for the VA install tips and the pics of the fan and clutch. Ordering both of the latter tonight, sure wish I had thought to ask the question earlier as it might have saved the electric fan installation that I really preferred not having on the car. I see you are also in FL so if I can get my temp back down to 200 max with the AC on, I'll really be grateful. Thanks again, jim

Also consider adding the 67 A/C upper rubber horizontal shroud seal discussed in the document; it'll fit a 63 with some tweaks.
It keeps the fan from recycling expelled hot air over the top of the fan shroud through the factory gap.

If you can avoid the electric fan(s) as a necessity for cooling, the configuration is greatly simplified...those SPAL fans, although hugely efficient, cascade into the need for a binary/trinary switch, beefed up wiring, a heavier alternator and a less-than-appealing look to the whole layout IMO.