Alternator question

[Mike R.]

I have a 69 L89 with TI. The alternator is PN 1100882. It has the two terninals parallel to each other (as opposed to being in a line). This requires the gray connector which I understood was for alternators with an external regulator. The original wiring harness is missing this connector.

Is a 1100882 alternator supposed to have the terminals oriented in this way? Shouldn't a 69 use the white alternator plug with the terminals in a straight line?

Any light that can be shed will be appreciated!

[Joe L.]

Re: Alternator question

I have a 69 L89 with TI. The alternator is PN 1100882. It has the two terninals parallel to each other (as opposed to being in a line). This requires the gray connector which I understood was for alternators with an external regulator. The original wiring harness is missing this connector.

Is a 1100882 alternator supposed to have the terminals oriented in this way? Shouldn't a 69 use the white alternator plug with the terminals in a straight line?

Any light that can be shed will be appreciated!

Mike-----


Yes, an internal regulator alternator has the terminal oriented "- -" rather than "I I". But, you say that you have an alternator of GM part number 1100882 which is an internal regulator, SI series alternator so how can this be? Well, I'll tell you how it can be:

The alternator part number is on the DRIVE END case. An SI-series drive end case can be used with a DN-series, external regulator type SPLIT RING END case. In that circumstance, the alternator becomes a DN series alternator since, with the DN series split ring end case being used, the DN series internal parts are used.

Attached are photos of an SI-series split ring end case half. In fact, this one is a unique-to-1969 split ring case half that probably originally resided on a 1969-0nly Corvette alternator like your 882. These case halves are VERY hard to find. However, you do not need this, particular, case half to have an SI series alternator. What you do need, though, is an SI series case half which has the side configuration like this case half. These are easy to find. I'll bet the split ring case half you have now doesn't look anything like this one.

So, what to do? Simply obtain an SI series alternator and swap out your drive end case half. You probably won't end up with an absolutely correct split ring case half for a 1969, but you'll maintain the stamped "numbers" that everyone seems to cherish and you'll have an SI series alternator which was used for all 1969 Corvettes. And, your alternator plug will work!

[Mike R.]

Re: Alternator question

It is amazing what problems one runs into when restoring a car and equally amazing the depth of knowledge on this site. I will bring the alternator home and compare to your pictures

Mike

Mike-----


Yes, an internal regulator alternator has the terminal oriented "- -" rather than "I I". But, you say that you have an alternator of GM part number 1100882 which is an internal regulator, SI series alternator so how can this be? Well, I'll tell you how it can be:

The alternator part number is on the DRIVE END case. An SI-series drive end case can be used with a DN-series, external regulator type SPLIT RING END case. In that circumstance, the alternator becomes a DN series alternator since, with the DN series split ring end case being used, the DN series internal parts are used.

Attached are photos of an SI-series split ring end case half. In fact, this one is a unique-to-1969 split ring case half that probably originally resided on a 1969-0nly Corvette alternator like your 882. These case halves are VERY hard to find. However, you do not need this, particular, case half to have an SI series alternator. What you do need, though, is an SI series case half which has the side configuration like this case half. These are easy to find. I'll bet the split ring case half you have now doesn't look anything like this one.

So, what to do? Simply obtain an SI series alternator and swap out your drive end case half. You probably won't end up with an absolutely correct split ring case half for a 1969, but you'll maintain the stamped "numbers" that everyone seems to cherish and you'll have an SI series alternator which was used for all 1969 Corvettes. And, your alternator plug will work!

[Mike R.]

Re: Alternator question

Hi Joe, here are pictures of my alternator. It looks the same as the back half case except for the height of the boss for the ground wire. Am I missing something or do I have the correct case (both halves) with the wrong alternator inside?

Mike-----


Yes, an internal regulator alternator has the terminal oriented "- -" rather than "I I". But, you say that you have an alternator of GM part number 1100882 which is an internal regulator, SI series alternator so how can this be? Well, I'll tell you how it can be:

The alternator part number is on the DRIVE END case. An SI-series drive end case can be used with a DN-series, external regulator type SPLIT RING END case. In that circumstance, the alternator becomes a DN series alternator since, with the DN series split ring end case being used, the DN series internal parts are used.

Attached are photos of an SI-series split ring end case half. In fact, this one is a unique-to-1969 split ring case half that probably originally resided on a 1969-0nly Corvette alternator like your 882. These case halves are VERY hard to find. However, you do not need this, particular, case half to have an SI series alternator. What you do need, though, is an SI series case half which has the side configuration like this case half. These are easy to find. I'll bet the split ring case half you have now doesn't look anything like this one.

So, what to do? Simply obtain an SI series alternator and swap out your drive end case half. You probably won't end up with an absolutely correct split ring case half for a 1969, but you'll maintain the stamped "numbers" that everyone seems to cherish and you'll have an SI series alternator which was used for all 1969 Corvettes. And, your alternator plug will work!

[Wayne W.]

Re: Alternator question

Looks like some kind of conversion. One wire?

[Mike R.]

Re: Alternator question

There are provisions for four wires as shown in the photos. The red post the natural boss (ground) and the two in the connector recess.

Looks like some kind of conversion. One wire?

[Joe L.]

Re: Alternator question

Hi Joe, here are pictures of my alternator. It looks the same as the back half case except for the height of the boss for the ground wire. Am I missing something or do I have the correct case (both halves) with the wrong alternator inside?

Mike------


This split ring case half is an SI-series case half. It is of the configuration generally considered to be a 1970 model year usage. However, it's possible it might have been used for an '882' manufactured in very late 1969 (like, after about September, 1969).

As far as the 2 prong connector is concerned, this is some type of a conversion as Wayne suggested. The connector shown is absolutely not the type of connector ever used for any SI series alternator. You'll need to get into the alternator to straighten this out. However, that's not very difficult to do.