voltage problems

Where are you making the above measurements? I know you say "fuse block" But if you mean say, on the downstream side of some fuse, this could be because of a poor connection at some fuse

You cannot just probe around in there and make measurements. You have to think about what you are doing, and refer to a diagram, and see what it is that you are into

If you have not done so, go here and download the 73 factory shop manual:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1970088617


OK do not put too much stock in the actual output in the alternator output STUD, because what is happening is this

You have major circuits which CAN have voltage drop and which can cause drop and these are specific and separate circuits

1.......You have the GROUND circuit. Remember, the battery NEG, the block, the body are all separate, and must be grounded together. All components must be grounded to one of these, and rust, corrosion, size of wire, fastener looseness etc, can affect this. The voltage regulator MUST "in theory" be connected to the battery NEG post at a very low level This is not always so

2.....You have the alternator OUTPUT to the battery POSITIVE post and to the LOADS. This is actually the LEAST important, because the voltage regulator sensing circuit in some ways compensates for this. That is, the sensing circuit ramps up the alternator output if the battery voltage "goes low" until the battery voltage again comes up to the regulator "set point." This is why you got the 17V reading up above

3.......Last, you have one of the MOST important concepts, and this is the voltage drop in the "hot" section of the IGNITION harness. In a factory harness this is the entire circuit path from battery.......starter relay......fuse link.......bulkhead connector.......ammeter......ignition switch connections.....harness welded splice..........(branch off to the fuse panel).......through the switch...... back through the bulkhead......and to the regulator and other underhood loads........


ALL these sections work in concert against you to generate problems and voltage drops.

The "usual suspects" are ALWAYS

ground connections

bulkhead connectors

ignition switch connections

ignition switch

ammeter connections

ammeter internals

rare, but welded harness connections

fuse panel problems

other problems

un grounded or poorly grounded regulator

poor output alternator