How hard is it to do this, and what's the price of new ones, and what can I expect this to fix/help/etc...

I don't think it will help my electrical system... as in the dimming of lights and stuff when I use my turn signal or roll down the windows... it's really really embarrassing...

Thanks.

 

It's really quite easy, Tenderfoot...

Take the old ones off. One line goes to the starter, the other to a ground. Take the wires to your local auto-supply house and they'll measure you out new wire, and ends. Go home and screw 'em to 'em...

Denny,
From the 'ol corncrib...

 

Tenderfoot? HUH?

Anyway, any ideas on the other problems? with the dimming of the lights and stuff... and how about some way to prevent the A/C from sucking so much power from my system?

 

There is always the option of removing the ac and/or running a secondary battery to power the other components in the vehicle.

but that last suggesstion might be me talking outta my ***.

cheers'

 

what do you have drawing power?

 

Install an 80 amp FC alt. That should solve your problem. You must have something putting a draw that bid on your system. I'd check your electrical system over real good.

 

I meant my dome lights, not my headlights...

 

Oh, that's different. My Trans Am does that all the time. It's probably nothing major. I would replace the wires just to be safe anyway if I were you. Later

 

Battery cables:
One section of 2ga. wire about 4' long for the postive cable to the starter
One section of 4ga wire about 4' long for the negative cable. This one will get cut.
Three 4ga crimp ring connectors and one 2ga crimp ring connector, plus a positive and negative post connector, I like to use the toolless type. Very easy to remove with no tools. Especially if you work on your car alot.
Pull out the old wires and use them as a template.

Alternator:
Locate a second gen alternator, 86-88 will work easiest. The 89+ will give you more amps, but you will have to rewire the plug in the back to fit. Search for the latest alt. thread, there are plenty.
I would also suggest doing the second gen fuse block upgrade and ditching your old fusible links. Look up a thread started by "Donna" and I have an explanation with pics.
hope this helps,
hanman

 

I bought a set for $30 from VB, as my old ones were chewed up pretty badly.