Re: Delco alternator conversion for the 258

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

On alternator amperage -- biggest is not necessarily best. If you
install 66amps and up, you really need to have 8gauge or better from the
alt output to the battery direct; stock wiring will BURN UP if the alt
tries to dump 66 amps into a drained battery, for example.

Excess alternator amperage capacity has no positive value. The alt
rating simply needs to slightly exceed the total combined loads of the
car (ignition, headlights, electric radiator fan, fan on high, A/C,
etc). Ordinary stereos don't consume more than a few amps (that 800-watt
rating is total crap -- it's "peak power", marketing lies).

If your car is stock, with added stereo and say electric radiator fan,
then the stock alternator PLUS the current for the new fan, is more than
enough.