The Ford Barn

KeansClassics · 05-16-2012, 11:07 PM

Today I went out and started my 1965 Ford F250 Pickup. The last time I ran it she gave me issues on staying running. It started fine tonight and I ran it for a few minutes and it idled fine for a little bit then steadily got worse and then died and the alternator light came on. I then tried starting it again but it wouldn't and I noticed a burning smell so I opened the hood and saw the engine was on fire. I blew the fire out quick and removed the battery. The fire came from wires burning on the alternator that caught the built up grease next to it on fire. My question is what caused the wires to burn up? I will try and tear into it tomorrow to see what I find. Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

Bill Steiner · 05-17-2012, 10:23 AM

On the early Ford alt the dioad plate would short out and melt the wires. We had a lot of them do this at the Linc Merc dealer where I was. They changed the plate to a different design after that. Bill

tdlmomowers · 05-17-2012, 06:20 PM

Can't tell for sure from your photos, but it looks like your battery lead to your alternator got a little too close to your exhaust manifold and melted off the insulation and shorted.

Kurt in NJ · 05-18-2012, 07:51 AM

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If the burning is more severe the closer you get to the alternator it was most likely caused be a bad connection at the terminal crimp, or the actuall alternator stud (loose??)

the connection path of a threaded post ---the threads of the post have to connect with the threads on the nut, then to the sides of the nut, then if there is a washer to the side of the washer, then the other side of the washer to the terminal ---if a rusty washer, and nut are used there is resistance to current flow, that makes heat, perhaps if you cleaned the stud, used new nuts, shortened the wire and used a new terminal ---just ordinary crimping with pliers is not enough, and sometimes the old wire has an oxide layer that needs to be cleaned --lately I have played with an abrasive pad using it to clean old wires to prep for solder --fold it over the stripped end and pull the wire through several times at different places in rotation so different sides of the strands get cleaned.

05-17-2012, 10:23 AM	#2
Bill Steiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 263	Re: 1965 Ford F250 Alternator Wires Caught Fire (PICS) On the early Ford alt the dioad plate would short out and melt the wires. We had a lot of them do this at the Linc Merc dealer where I was. They changed the plate to a different design after that. Bill

05-17-2012, 06:20 PM	#3
tdlmomowers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 409	Re: 1965 Ford F250 Alternator Wires Caught Fire (PICS) Can't tell for sure from your photos, but it looks like your battery lead to your alternator got a little too close to your exhaust manifold and melted off the insulation and shorted.

05-18-2012, 07:51 AM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: 1965 Ford F250 Alternator Wires Caught Fire (PICS) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the burning is more severe the closer you get to the alternator it was most likely caused be a bad connection at the terminal crimp, or the actuall alternator stud (loose??) the connection path of a threaded post ---the threads of the post have to connect with the threads on the nut, then to the sides of the nut, then if there is a washer to the side of the washer, then the other side of the washer to the terminal ---if a rusty washer, and nut are used there is resistance to current flow, that makes heat, perhaps if you cleaned the stud, used new nuts, shortened the wire and used a new terminal ---just ordinary crimping with pliers is not enough, and sometimes the old wire has an oxide layer that needs to be cleaned --lately I have played with an abrasive pad using it to clean old wires to prep for solder --fold it over the stripped end and pull the wire through several times at different places in rotation so different sides of the strands get cleaned.