A/C Delco Starter Distributor Condensor issues

Hey fellas, I got a wierd one for you. Just recently got my engine
back from the engine shop. A full rebuild on an old Continental
Z129 on a TO30. Spent way more on the rebuild than the darn
thing was worth! Oh well, its done now.

Anyways, i just put the whole tractor back together. It was split to
pull the motor. Shortly after inital break in, right after i wired back
up the alternator she started to sputter. It turned to be a bad
condensor on the distributor. However, as soon as I wire my
distributor back up it starts having the same issues! I unwire the
alternator and she is smooth as butter again. I dont understand
how this same alternator wired the same way worked perfectly
well before hand and now its doing this. I do have it wired a little
weird, but it worked previously. Maybe one of you guys can set
me straight and call me an idiot. Thats okay.. i know what I am!

Its a standard AC delco alternatir with the main power lug which
goes to my ammeter then to poistive side of the battery. The
ground lug I have striaght to the body.. then i have the two
smaller terminals labeled 1 and 2. I take positive striaght from
the positive lug on the alternator to #1 and then #2 goes to a
switch on my console. I flip the switch to pit power on #2 to
engage the alternator, and it does engage. I can stick a wrench
to the back of the alternator when the switch is made and power
shows to be added on the ammeter. As soon as I do this though,
ot starts to sputter. Its interfering some how with the condensor.

I would wire the alternator a different way but i dont know of
another way that works honestly.. Any ideas guys?

Thanks for your time!

" I take positive striaght from the positive lug on the alternator to #1 and then #2 goes to a switch on my console"

That's EXACTLY backwards, but still doesn't explain the rough running issue you are dealing with.

So i should put power to the number two terminal all the time
and the on the number one terminal should i run another circuit
from positive with a light in series to excite the alternator? Is that
how it would typically be done instead of using a switch?

(quoted from post at 06:24:26 12/01/21) So i should put power to the number two terminal all the time
and the on the number one terminal should i run another circuit
from positive with a light in series to excite the alternator? Is that
how it would typically be done instead of using a switch?

Click to expand...

Yes, #2 can have constant power, the power to #1 needs to go off with the ignition switch, or an oil pressure switch can be used to supply power to the #1 terminal only when the engine is running/has oil pressure, Massey actually used an oil pressure switch to power the gauges and excite the alternator on some tractors when built.

It is a good idea to have an indicator lamp, a resistor, or a diode in the #1 "excite" lead.

How do you have the battery wired, polarity wise?