Hot alternator

[69RestoRod]

I'm putting a 69 F 100 back together after stripping it to pieces for a restoration and am running into a problem. The wiring is all hooked up but but my alternator is getting hot to the touch without the engine running. Just sitting with the battery cables hooked up causes it to get rather hot to the touch. Engine doesn't currently run since I'm reassembling the fuel system. Any ideas as to what I might be overlooking.

[Thunderfoot]

Yikes, yeah it shouldn't be getting hot... Sounds like you have voltage going to the field terminal on the alternator...
Take a test light or volt meter and check the terminals on the alternator, you should only have voltage on the "BAT" terminal...

This diagram shows the alternator connections pretty well. http://www.fordification.com/images/sch ... rging2.jpg