Recently, I was going through the Engine Compartment on my January 31 Built, Dearborn Convertible, to see what I still needed to make the Engine Compartment as "Concourse correct" as practical. One of the items that I hadn't addressed as yet was the Voltage Regulator. It was still attached to the Radiator Support, along with the Radio Noise Suppression Condenser.
Any printing which may have been on the Cover, was long gone. I looked at the underside as I thought that I remembered that originals were dated on the underside ; no date. While the Cover was of screw on type, the screws were not slotted round head self-tapping as the originals should be, but slotted hex head self-tapping. I came to the conclusion that while "period correct", and mechanical as opposed to electronic, it must be an aftermarket replacement. Having heard all of the "horror stories" associated with the Reproduction Electronic Voltage Regulators, I decided that I wanted to keep the mechanical Regulator, and just get the correct Reproduction Cover.
As I needed other Parts, and knew that NPD sold AMK Regulators and Covers, I went to NPD's site. In looking at the "covers only", I was surprised to see that the C5TF cover was shown to be for 1967 with A/C or Power Top. This then implies that the 55 amp Alternator was used for either A/C (which I knew), or the Power Top. I did not remember ever seeing that the Power Top without A/C required the 55 amp Alternator. I then went to NPD's 2020 printed Catalog. It also had the notes that not only the Cover, but the Reproduction Voltage Regulators with the C5TF stamping, were used with the Power Top. Out of curiosity. I went to the "New Concourse Alternators" section of NPD's Catalog. Interestingly, for the 1967 55 amp Alternators shown, the only caveat noted is "with A/C", or "with A/C and PS". Now I was really confused. I then went to AMK's site. It lists the Regulators and Covers by Alternator amperage, not by Application.
Before going any further, I decided it was now time to dive into my 55+ year collection of Ford publications, specifically of course related to 1967 Mustangs. This included, but was not limited to the 1967 only MPC, 1960-68 MPC, 1965-1972 MPC, 1967 Preliminary Shop Manual, 1967 Shop Manual, 1967 Spec Book, 1967 Ford Car Facts Book, 1967 Assembly Manuals, Showroom Option Album, Salesman's Pricing guide, 1967 Product Line Book, Marti Report, etc.). I also went page by page through all of the 1967 Shop Tips and TSB's from July of 1966 Through January of 1968. I found absolutely no Ford publication that shows that a C5TF printed Voltage Regulator (and thus a 55 amp Alternator) was used for a Convertible with Power Top ; to the contrary, in the 1967 Ford Car Facts binder, it show both in the Mustang Section and the Engine Section, that the standard 38 amp Alternator was used for all applications except the Hi-Performance 289 (which used a 42 amp Alternator), and Factory A/C which required a 55 amp Alternator (copies attached).
Even with all of the resources I have, there is always a chance that more exists "out there". Could be in the form of Special Service Bulletins, Corporate Memos, or who knows what else.
With my "homework" done, it was now time to contact NPD to see what Ford documentation they had which led them to note that a C5TF Voltage Regulator (and thus a 55 amp Alternator) was required for a 1967 Mustang Convertible with Power Top and no A/C. I contacted Scott Halseth, who handles the Ford Parts and Suppliers for NPD. Scott advised me that with all of the Ford Parts and Suppliers that he deals with, there is no time to research each Part as to its application. He said he has to rely on the Suppliers for that information. I then noted to him that I had checked AMK's website, and they only listed the Voltage Regulators in relation to the size (amperage) of Alternators. Scott suggested that possibly a previous website of AMK's had listed that the Power Top without A/C as requiring the 55 amp Alternator, and that notation was inadvertently omitted from AMK's latest site update. He suggested that I contact AMK.
I then contacted AMK, and explained everything that I have noted above. Max got back to me the next Business Day, and noted that (I am paraphrasing) while it might make sense to have a higher amperage Alternator on a 67 Convertible with a Power Top, he had nothing that noted that a 55 amp Alternator (and thus a C5TF Voltage Regulator), was required by Ford to be installed on a 1967 Mustang Convertible with Power Top and without A/C.
In conclusion, based on the above, it is my contention that the correct Factory Alternator for a 1967 Mustang with Power Top and no A/C, is the Standard 38 amp Alternator, and thus the C5AF marked Voltage Regulator.
Of course, as with many items "back then", a higher amperage Alternator could have been ordered as a "Special Option", but one would think that would appear on the Marti Report or Invoice.
Should anyone reading this have any Ford documentation, or conclusive evidence from multiple Original examples, which refutes my contention, please Post it here accordingly (or forever hold your peace - lol).
Thanks for any help.
Bob
