Charging issues....

[burrpenick]

The alternator checked OUT ok, so I am now looking at the regulator. I replaced my leaking original with a used WELLS brand. I did clean the paint around the two mounting points on the firewall. Does this piece need to be grounded? and do you think my two mounting points s/b enough?

Thanks, George in Tallahassee

[burrpenick]

Yes, It has come a long way baby!

[Bullitt-]

Do you have a motor to body ground strap?... Originally a silver braid that attached to the passenger side valve cover & the firewall.

[burrpenick]

Yes..................

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes it needs a ground to the body , 2 bolts is normal
 the barrtey ground cable needs to have a second pigtail out the the firewall where the headlight ground attaches as well

[burrpenick]

Thanks, I have not run a ground from the battery negative terminal to the headlght grounding screw that I remember attaching somewhere near the top of the radiator support area.....I guess thats where you are talking about, right?

Since the less than 250 mile reman alternator checked out OK (at Advanced Auto??) then I was thinking the voltage regulator may be the problem. This unit was a used Wells product that I had and to replace the original blue one that had leaked badly. How can I tell if its the culpret? When I turn on the headlights, the factory amp gauge goes down past the center to discharge. Same thing happens at speed.

George

[Chryco Psycho]

the reg should not leak but if it did that will be the problem as it will expose the electronics to water
 a voltmeter will tell you if it is working , battery voltage is 13.2 , running it will be 13.8 - 14.2
 the pigtail from the battery ground goes to the bolt just in front of the battery tray where the headlights ground

[Bullitt-]

When I turn on the headlights, the factory amp gauge goes down past the center to discharge. Same thing happens at speed.

George

Not necessarily anything wrong, I assume with lights off everything seems normal ... Way back when mine started doing this & I solved by burnishing every connection in the charging system... Also make sure your RPMs are adequate, I keep mine at 900 idle which drops to 750 in drive.