Description: 289 +AC -PS Autolite Alternator
Year: 1966
Model: Mustang, Ford, Mercury
Production date specific: All 1966 production
Engineering #: C6AF-10300-C
Rear housing type: Round
Output specified on ink stamp: 42 Amps
Actual output: 55 Amps
Fan: 13 blade (sold separately)
Pulley: Double sheave (sold separately)
Date Codes: 3 (Please indicate your cars production date when ordering)
Warranty: 2 Years (repair or replace)
Returns: 365 Days*
Accuracy Rating: 9.5
Best Repro Available: YES
Jack's Comments:
Our concours correct 1966 289 without power steering but with factory air conditioning Autolite alternators are built with 100% new components manufactured to our specifications to be reliable and look factory original. We faithfully reproduced the unique 1965-66 front and rear housings from original Ford engineering drawings, 19 lamination yellow/amber varnished 42 amp stator and we even apply date codes that correspond with your cars production date. Our alternators also come with all the correct hardware to install your wire harness and pulley.
Are you going to have your car judged by MCA and need an alternator that will pass the judges scrutiny? No problem, I have combined my years of research with authenticity fanatics Bob Perkins (Technical advisor to MCA), Ed Meyer and many many others. Both Bob and Ed generously shared their knowledge, large inventory of NOS and original take off alternators to help me come up with what I believe is the most authentic reproduction Autolite alternator available.
Concours Notes:
1) All of 1966 and we suspect very early 1967 production Autolite alternators only had one Autolite stamp located on the flat surface of the rear housing next to the adjuster tab. When installed you can only partially see the Autolite stamp and date code when looking at your engine. If you don't care about being concours correct we can apply a second stamp on the rear housing that you see easily. Just tell us you want this second stamp in the special instructions box just above the Add to Cart button.
2) The correct cooling fan has 13 blades and was dipped in semi-gloss black painted finish. Late production cars had yellow zinc plated fans (see documented cars below).
3) The correct pulley for this alternator is a single sheave pulley with a sprayed semi-gloss black painted finish. Late productions cars could have a yellow zinc pulley (see documented cars below).
Documented Original Mustangs from Bob Perkins Collection:
Black Fan, Black pulley March 9,1966 289 4V Dearborn built 6,000 miles
Black Fan, Yellow zinc pulley April 1,1966 Hipo 289 Dearborn built low mile survivor
Black Fan, Yellow zinc pulley June 6, 1966 289 2V Dearborn built 54 miles
Other documented original fans and pulleys:
Black Fan, Black pulley Feb 19, 1966 289 Hipo San Jose very low mile survivor
4) The correct fan and pulley finish could be Ford Corporate blue paint. Its rare but it happened. See more info here.
5) The Autolite stamp ink color is orange indicating this is a 42 Amp alternator.
Do you have more concours details you would like to share? We don't know everything so please send us an email and we will post your findings and give you the credit.
Questions & Answers:
Q: How do you decide what date codes are right for my car?
A: When you specify your cars production date we take a look at our vintage calendars and select a day one to one and a half months before your car was built. If you would like to specify a date you want it stamped with just let us know in the Special Instructions box. Note: The stator was manufactured before the alternator itself so the stator inspection date is typically 7-20 days prior to the alternators two final inspection dates.
Q: I don't have a door tag on my car, what should I do?
A: If you don't have a door tag to get your cars build date you can calculate an approximate date by locating date codes on your engine, rear axle or sheet metal parts and add a one to two months to the latest date. You then enter the date you calculated before adding the alternator to your shopping cart. Shelby owner? You can contact the Shelby Club for more information about yours cars build date or use the previous described method to estimate your Shelby's production date. If you don't have any build date information or just don't care indicate that you want a generic date code.
Q: Where are the date codes located on the alternator?
A: Month, day, year stamp next to the Autolite stamp, month, day and shift on stator, month, day, last digit of year and plant code on rear housing
Q What do yo mean actual output is 55 Amps?
A: The factory specified all 289 2V/4V with factory air conditioning cars required an alternator that has a maximum output of 42 amps. The Autolite stamp will state the factory 42 amp output but we build all our alternators to put out between 50 and 55 amps so it can support some of the modern accessories available today like larger stereo sytems and MSD ignition.
Q My car didnt come with air condition from the factory but I'm thinking about adding an original sytem or a reproduction system. What alternator should I get?
A: Standard 289's and AC equiped cars had a single pulley so they will work with either pulley system. All our alternators put out 55 amps so they will both produce enough amps to run an AC system. If you want to make the car look like it came from the factory with AC or a dealer installed AC system I would order this alternator so it looks more correct.
Q I'm running a mechanical voltage regulator. Will this alternator burn up my regulator like the last alternator I purchased at my local Auto parts store?
A: You won't need to buy another voltage regulator. We build our alternators with components that are compatible with vintage mechanical or the new solid state voltage regulators just for this reason. Note: Voltage regulators are the most common reason your battery is not charging or over charging. We suggest you install a new (solid state preferred) voltage regulator with your new alternator just to be safe.
Still have questions? Give us a call at 510-903-1059