Just curious, is it normal for a Delco 10SI to make an audible noise
while running?  I have tried two different units in my '55 Stude and
both are somewhat noisy.  One is the one that was in the car when I
bought it.  The other is a reman that I believe to be of dubious
heritage, as when I attempted to reclock it one of the NEW case bolts
snapped merely by trying to tighten it with a nutdriver.  So I think it
was thrown together with cheap parts.  I did drop the "old" one off to
a local auto electric shop to have it rebuilt properly, as I was unable
to find the parts to do it myself locally and I know that they do a
good job.  (even though it will probably cost me more than another
"reman" from Pep Boys, it's worth it to me.)

other questions...

- Both alternators are "one wire" units.  I have added the wiring to
use a 3-wire connection as there's about 12 feet or more of 8AWG
between the alternator output terminal and the starter solenoid (where
the battery +ive cable connects.)  Will it damage anything to leave
this connector connected to a 1-wire type regulator?  Will it
accomplish anything?  (i.e. will remote voltage sensing even work?)
Should be academic as soon as I get my good unit back anyway.  The
yellow exciter wire, does that need to see a full 12V or can I connect
it to the far side of the ballast resistor?  (i.e. does it just need to
see voltage)  It would make my wiring a lot neater if I could connect
it to the starter solenoid bypass terminal rather than having to run it
all the way back to the firewall where I have the ballast mounted.
Just for reference I am using the cheap little harness from Speedway
with the diode in the exciter wire, so I can use the 3-wire 10SI
without an idiot light.  I did cut the red wire and extend it to the
solenoid; they intended to sense the voltage at the back of the alt.
but I don't like that plan.

- What's the standard pulley size for a 10SI, and what size crank
pulley is generally used on the engines it is installed on (SBC?)
What's a typical idle RPM?  Reason I ask is I can see that in my
installation, using a stock Stude crank pulley, it looks like I need a
smaller alt. pulley to keep charging at idle.  Idle speed is in the
neighborhood of 600 RPM.  With lights, defrost, and heat all on (only
accessories installed at the moment) I'm showing a discharge.  What's
the maximum RPM that I can safely turn a 10SI before the windings start
flying apart?  Max engine RPM right now is probably around 5200 but a
cam change is planned, so that may increase to around 6000 or so.

thanks,

nate