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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Alternator question

hi,
ive got an old delco remy alternator, similar in appearance to the original V8 one. its a working unit putting out 35 amps, but i want to know if anyone knows where i can find internals to boost the output up to around 70 amps. it isnt the one wire deal, it actually has the same plug shape as the early '70s MGB 4 cyl alt. any help would be great.
jake
jake

Jake,

In Europe there are Lucas Type 127 alternators available in many capacities up to about 75A. They are physically about the same size as the original Delco Remy alternator and have the standard 3-wire output (2 parallel outputs from the big connectors and a warning light from the small one). They may be avaliable from scrapyards with European vehicles of the 1980s and 1990s.

You could also look out for similar (possibly identical) alternators with Ford or BL badges.

Good luck

Peter
Peter Hills

Jake . . . I have an early V8 alternator that I upgraded to 105 amps with a kit I got on the net (about 45 bucks). Just run a search for "alternator conversion". While you're at it, replace the bearings. If the unit is an original 70's or 80's vintage alternator, it will need them.

Gordon
Gordon Elkins

gordon
do you recall the manufacturor of the upgrade kit?
thanks
jake
jake

If you take it to a big alternator shop, they can easily get you what you need. I have what I believe to be a Motorola alternator mounted in the factory V8 position; it was a 40-amp unit or something like that. They took a look at it, and put the internals from a modern Valeo 80-amp unit inside -- apparently an exact match configuration-wise, as I think Valeo has purchased the rights to manufacture the Motorola designs -- and renewed the bearings. Works great; I think it cost about $100 to get the new guts and have 'em installed. Whether or not you have a similar model alternator, you might want to just have it done at a shop because it is something of a pissoir to get those things apart without special tools.
David

thanks for the info. i actually rebuilt the alternator with the correct internals and it works fine, its just that with the twin cooling fans and all that jazz i wanna make sure that the battery gets charged back up to full while the car is running.
david,
if you wanna have a look at mine on the website, can you tell me if its externally the same as the motorola unit you have? the web address is
http://www.et.byu.edu/~jmv/mgbv8.htm and then look under electrical in the drop down menu. thanks
jake

Jake, that looks pretty similar. The case is a bit different but the bolt-holes appear to be in the same places -- which is apparently what's unique about the Motorola-type configuration. It's hard to say, though, I'm certainly no expert on alts. Again, I'd just take it to a shop that does alternators and ask them.
David

If anyone's interested in the DIY approach to an alternator output upgrade, look in the new JC Whitney catalogue on page 182, upper right-hand corner. There are kits made by Quick Start (?) for Delco, Motorcraft, and Chrysler alts to turn them into either 80 amp units for $28 or 105 amp units for $35. A small disclaimer says that output will be higher at 'normal' engine speeds, but lower at idle, so that your alt light could flicker. FYI
Joe Ullman

I put a Delco on my son's B It was an early 70's GM rated at 63 amps and seems to work well. wired right up with the 3 origional wires.
John

This thread was discussed between 04/01/2003 and 09/01/2003

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