the three white wires from the magneto to voltage reg have been cut on my 5 vy engine.does anyone know in what order they join to the plug for the reg?

It doesn't mater, all the windings in the alternator rotor are the same, if you imagine 3 coils in a triangular arrangement, and a white wire at each point on the triangle, thats how its wired.

The rectifier is wired the same, but instead of coils it has diods.
Rgds.
Pete.

[Edited on 5/4/08 by r1_pete]

thanks for that,i can get on now