stock alternator with msd 6AL trouble? please help!

[banana70]

My 70 challenger came (not from factory of course ) with some kind of alternator adaptation, can't tell if chevy or ford / maybe japan???. 

I've always wanted to return the electrical inst. to original cond., even got the correct alternator and now is the time because the "adapted" one is not working properly (8.5v output)....

Now a friend tells me that the stock alternator might not work with the msd 6al now installed on the car and somehow I think I might be true because otherwise I don't see a reason to put in a chevy/ford alt.

Can some of you masters of the Mopars illuminate me with your knowledge and expertise? thaanks....

BTW, its a 318 se car non a/c now with 440 with adapted rallye gauges,
It comes to my atention that the adapted alt only has the "+" red cable that goes to the relay, no cable to the ammeter or black "-"

[Chryco Psycho]

You probably have a Chev 1 wire alt on there & the regulator burned out which requires the replacement of the alt to fix , it is relatively easy to swap back , there should be a triangular plug in the area of the wiper motor this plugs into the factoiry regulator which mounts to the firewall beside the wiper motor you should have 3 wires at the alt as well , 1 heavy Black[possibly red on your car ] & a green & blue wire the blue is 12v & can be tied into the blue wire at the ballast on the fire wall if it has been removed you should ahve the green wire coming from  the triangular plug at the reg to the other terminal on the alt 
the factory Alt is fully compatable with the Msd 

[6packCuda]

I've heard of a lot of guys using the GM alternator because it's a lot simpler set up. 1 wire. I have the factory Mopar alternator with MSD ignition with no problems.

[banana70]

you-re the man...

thanks for the response... It's true.. y totally forgot about the regulator chevy has it bundled on the alt...

I have not checked but I fixed the wiper motor the other day and did not see the plug for the regulator... so If the cables are still there maybe I'will need to get the plug... if not.. I will have to re-wire the whole thing to original specs..

thanks again.. and if in doubth I'll come back to you

p.s. I ordered a brackets bolts, shims, etc. from a guy at ebay because from the alternator alteration the only orig part i found there is the triangle.

[banana70]

thanks 6pack for your input too...surely it's simple..but I think you'll agree.. If there's something classic under the hood of a mopar is that round alternator.

[mopower]

I have a 340 and i run a msd digital 6 with a standard alt. no problems ever. hope you get her figured out. steve

[duodec]

Direct Connection used to recommend replacing the old point-style voltate regulator with an electronic one if you installed the DC electronic ignition upgrade kit.  I think the reason was that there was too much voltage fluctuation with the mechanical regulator.  Perhaps there was, or is, a similar requirement for the MSD units which would affect original mechanical regulator cars.  If so I'd presume a car that came with original electronic regulator would not require such an upgrade (but I don't remember if the '70s came with electronic or mechanical).

Also don't forget that OE Chrysler alternators were not exactly high output units, especially at low engine RPMs.  How much power does your MSD draw?  Can the charging system systain the load along with headlights and whatever other loads you might be running?  Will available voltage at idle with all probable accessories running be high enough to meet the MSD's minimums (whatever they are)?

Rich