1965 Galaxie alternator question????????

[speed1975]

My father gave me a 1965 Galaxie 2 door with a 289....well all things aside the car runs great stock everything but the problem I am having is the the batery will not charge. He told me that he put a new alternator and voltage regulator and I think the battery is newer. I only measure 7.8 volts on the battery when the car is running witch is way below what I think is should be. I found something on the internet that if I jumpered out the A and F terminals on the plug that plugs in the voltage regulator that I should read max voltage output across the battery... Does anyone have any idea what I can do to figure this out.. I pulled another battery off of my ford escort and put it on ...well with the engine running it showed 12.50 volts....I have no idea where to turn


any help and I would love ya for ever....lol

[escort0526]

It's been a long time since my '65 LTD, but I do remember having a problem with voltage. As I recall it turned out that the belt was not tight enough to spin the alternator and I was draining the battery. When it was tested it registered at 12 volts but during actual driving it was not charging fully. you might try a new belt. I had to keep mine pretty tight if I remember correctly. Hope this helps.

[1988TransAm]

I had two 65 Galaxies, ( I liked the abuse ). My voltage regulators always seemed to cause fits, water getting in and playing havic with the internal contacts.

[Mangelspony]

I bet you have a cell or two dead in your battery. If you charge the crap out of it it will start the vehicle but it wont hold a deep charge. Buy a new Continental or Interstate battery, it'll last for a long time in that old Galaxy. By the way, I think Galaxys rock. I had a 63and1/2 LX 390 and it would scoot. Good luck and remember to keep it simple and stupid, it always helps.

[ljf41]

Don't worry, It can only be a couple of things! I've got a 65 that had the same problem. 1st, have your battery deep cell test. Most any parts store can do this. If the battery has a bad cell, replace it with a quality brand battery. Next, belt tension at the altenator is very important. To tight, burn the bearing, to loose, low voltage. Go by factory specs from any good repair manual like Chilton's. Next is the voltage regulator. To test, spray with freon, air conditioning refridgerant, while the car is running. Then retest the voltage. If it goes up, then the voltage regulater has a bad internal switch that is closing when the unit is hot. Replace it. When replacing the voltage regulator, place it into a hard plastice case, seal the lid and the small hole for the wires with a high grade silicone sealer. This will make it water proof and protect it a little wore from the heat of the engine. Hope some of these ideas help with your problem.