Factory charge wire gauge

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mavtricks71

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The wire bolted to the back of the alternator is that 10ga or 12 ga .... my 1986 looks like 12 Ga???
 

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ok wheres all the pics. we like pics......................
 

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10 gauge if I understand which wire you are talking about.
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ok wheres all the pics. we like pics......................
Here you go... 4ga power & ground from 140 amp alternator.

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MikeB

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I don't know when GM went to metric wire sizes, but my 82 used metric wires with the size expressed in square millimeters. As I recall, the charging circuit wires were a 5, which is around 11 gauge. So you should use 10 gauge if replacing it. If you have a factory schematic, you will see the wires are labeled .5, .8, 1, 2, 3, 5 etc. Battery cables will be something like 25.
 

75gmck25

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Question for CalSgt - are those exhaust manifolds just stock and very clean, or are they aftermarket?
 

CalSgt

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Question for CalSgt - are those exhaust manifolds just stock and very clean, or are they aftermarket?
Stock manifolds from a Vortec SBC, sandblasted and VHT header paint. If I had it to do over I would have done them in Cerakote since they are in such good shape.
 

mavtricks71

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I just left the stock charge wire in place, and added an 8 gauge wire (with 12 gauge fusible link) running directly from the battery positive to the Bat terminal on the alternator.
You just added a new wire from the Alternator straight over to the battery positive cable? Is that safe? Im just asking because im not good at Automotive electrical and im still trying to figure out my Alternator upgrade cs130. My Alternator Amp output is 105 . No electric fuel pump no electric fans ect. just a decent stereo
 
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mavtricks71

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Also I just invested in some nice high quality 10 Gauge gxl wire. Would it be ok to add 10 gauge with a 14 ga fusible link over to the battery while leaving my stock Alternator wire in place?
 

CalSgt

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Also I just invested in some nice high quality 10 Gauge gxl wire. Would it be ok to add 10 gauge with a 14 ga fusible link over to the battery while leaving my stock Alternator wire in place?
Sounds about right, IIRC the link should be smaller by 4 numbers typically
 

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