My Build Thread, 78Chevyrado's 1978 C20

[78 Chevyrado]

I got my new Alternator Installed today.  CS130D Direct Fit 180A.

http://www.qualitypowerauto.com/catalog.php?item=122

They shipped it out fast, and have great customer service so far!

When I opened the alternator, the sticker on said 24 volts, but all the paperwork and the test sheet said 12v so I called them up.  they picked up on the 2nd ring, and the first guy transfereed me over to the man who packed it up for me, and he picked up in 10 seconds or so, and I told them what model I had, all info and they got another one off the shelf, and it also said 24V.  so they tested that one on the machine right then to make sure it was 12 volts and it was.  turned out to be a typo on the label, but the model and serial info was fine.  turns out there wasnt even a problem, but they took care of it QUICK!.  i was off the phone in 5 minutes.

On to the good stuff.

Here's what came in the box.  It came with one pigtail and one adapter, depending on how you want it hooked up.  The adapter makes it so you dont have to modify the trucks harness.  it adapts the old connector to the new one.


Here's a comparison of The old 10si 140A and the CS130D 180A.   The pigtail coming off the new one is the adapter.  I just had it in there for some reason.  The chargine wire stud on the new alt. is bigger than stock, so you'll need to swap terminals on your charge wire.  they had a new terminal included, but it was too small, it fit the smaller stud on the old alt.  thats the only screw up I've found, but i have lots of terminals so its no biggie for me.



Here's how the wiring ended up looking.  I used the adapter but spliced it into my trucks wiring harness.  I didnt have to modify the truck, but it looks much better, and using the old connection lets in water anyway.


A close up of the finished product with the new 86-87 Pulleys Screamin86 Hooked me up with.  I didnt have to swap pulleys on the alternator, as I ordered it with a 6-groove serp. pulley, and my pulleys are 5 groove so it fits correctly, i just have a groove left over on the alternator.




So far, so good.  puts out 14.20v normally and with everything running and at idle in drive it runs about 13.9v.  I do have to say though I have my idle lower than normal though.  its about 500RPM in drive.

I also notice the gauge doesnt move around anymore.  when I started it cold it went up to where it should be and didnt go way past it, like the old one did.  once It running, basically the gauge stays right where it should, 14.1v to 14.2v.  And its quieter than the old alt too.  might be the internal fan.

EDIT: Found once the truck had warmed up good and the idle settled, the gauge dipped some at redlights, checked it and its at about 13.2v there.  So I have a smaller pulley on the way.  Then it'll be all good.


Everything I did to swap the crank and water pump pulleys to the 5-groove ones is here:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,21823.new.html#new

[gto109]

i love your truck almost everything you did i was already thinking about doing to my truck color and all. 

[78 Chevyrado]

I ordered my new steering wheel today.  I got sick and tired of the horn button popping off my standard oem wheel.  if i don't hit it in the center it pops off.  plus more of the tabs are broken again.  I've replaced the back of the horn button 4 times now.  Sooo....  time for an update! 

This is my 2 weeks early happy-birthday-to-me present...



Grant Brand

Steering Wheel #1180 with leather Grip
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRT-1180/


Adapter #5196-1 polished billet aluminum
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRT-5196-1/


Horn Button #5657  old school chevy bowtie
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRT-5657/







Pics Will be along shortly when I get it installed and get the interior detailed.   


I also ordered a set of smoked vent shades for the side windows.  Not the chrome kind (old skool) that screwed on, but the bigger type that goes from the bottom front of the vent window to the back of the big side window.  all held on with double sided tape.  I like the chrome ones better looks-wise but i had them on my 77 and where the screws were made a big-time rust problem.  I'm a smoker, so They will help me out.  Pics to come on this too after I have the truck washed. 

Hopefully next item i buy is a tonneau cover...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EXG-14535/?rtype=10

[gto109]

Nice.

[78 Chevyrado]

Got em all put in!  I likey!

[gto109]

nice 

[slammed79]

Looks good Kenny!

[78 Chevyrado]

I'm liking the new wheel a lot.  I like the thicker grip much better and the horn button doesn't fall off.  Woohoo!

The ventshades are taking a little getting used to though even though I do like them.  They cut the wind noise to almost zero.  and my vent seals are good and don't whistle anyway!

[78 Chevyrado]

My Latest Roadtrip in the truck  to Charleston SC (350 miles one way) netted this sexy pic.

The Truck next to the USS Yorktown CV-10  in Charleston, South Carolina.

[78 Chevyrado]

I ordered my new tonneau cover today.  I'm starting to take a lot more road trips, hence the latest upgrades like the steering wheel, vent visors and tonneau.  I just need a place to keep what I take with me dry.  I always seem to go south and get caught in torrential downpours...lol  and the tonneau is about $90 less than another toolbox.  plus if somethings really big or would skin my bed up, I use the trailer anyway.

I bought the extang 14535 with the J45 (ziplock) attatchment.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EXG-14535/

and these stake pocket caps
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRD-8794/

I only bought four caps as the rear ones don't let water into the bed, only the front four do.

The steering wheel was from me to me on my bday, but today IS my bday so I had to buy something else...ha!

[454Man]

Happy bday

[78 Chevyrado]

Thank you!  I'm 32 TODAY!

[bd]

HAPPY 32ND, KENNY!!!

[78 Chevyrado]

Thanks Man!  If anything truck related happened this Birthday, I had so much fun out on the town, I had to leave my truck at the club, take a cab home and come back to get it the next day....

[bd]

HA!!  Glad you had a good one!