Compound problems

I got some electrical problems but I do not know where to start... The previous owner of my 72 Duster did allot of shoddy wiring, while I was driving the main positive battery cable burned out at a point where he had made a crappy splice. Fixed that up and as it turned out a voltage spike or something had burned up my Ign control module, so I replaced that as well.

Now it will fire up but I must jump start it, once started it does not hold a charge and will drive ok for a while then it must be jumped again. Also, what really ticks me off, my guages peg out anytime it has enough juice to run them.

I am thinking that I should replace the cheap battery it has, and maybe the alternator. I could understand a voltage spike burning out electrical components like the module but I cannot see how it could have damaged my alternator? Also, my guess is that the guages are pegging because the voltage regulator has gone out, hopefully they are not damaged.

What do ya'll think? What amperage alternator is OK on a stock harness? I like to run an electric fan and my stereo so a boost might be good? Are there two voltage regulators? Which would most likely be bad? My alternator has 3 wires going to it but Autozone only seems to sell them with one or two wires... whats up with that?
Author: admin