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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - MGB V8 Alternator

Well Im not happy with my lucas alternator.
Had it so called reconditioned a year ago and its been nothing but trouble ever since.
Im fed up with taking it back to Lucas, so has anyone found a similar size alternator that will fit?
Clive wheatley sells new RV8 ones but they look slightly larger.
Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

Mark
Mark

Hi

When I did my V8 I used a Wilson Alternator #90-01-3106 12 Volt 63Amp 10SI. Readably available over here.
The only complaint I have is that (for my purpose's) I wish it was smaller. A chrome one would be nice too.

Bruce
Bruce Mills

I went to my local auto electrics shop, I told them the dimensions and the output I was after - if you have an existing one you could take it for comparison.

They had about 6 I could choose from. They even let me take one away to trial fit.

A recon one only cost £49.00 (?). I'm glad I didnt go down the £100+ valeo route.

Liam
Liam H


In USA, Delco alternators are most frequently used, but I personally prefer Japanese (Nippondenso) alternators.

If you can find one, a Ford/Motorola alternator similar to what Jake Voelkers used might please you more... since it reportedly bolts to Rover brackets and mates easily to the later MGB 3-wire plug. Photos and details are included here:
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/JakeVoelckers.htm
Curtis

I have used a Delco but I have found the Mitsubishi
Alt. 75amp. from an Eclipse to be the best. It is a lot smaller and easier to fit in the engine bay.
Good Luck
Mike
Mike Cook

Mark,

Not for nothing was Lucas regarded as the Prince of Darkness! However, Lucas kit is basically no worse than any other. Bosch etc are really no better.

The basic MGB alternator is a Lucas 127 series alternator. The MGBs used low-output versions - maybe 45A max - but later cars - paricularly BL ones - used higher output versions - 55A and 65A, posibly more. They were used on cars such as Maestro/Montego and Rover 400 series cars. Some Fords also used them.

All these have the conventional 3-wire output and are electrically interchangable with the MGB alternator. It might, however, be necessary to rotate the mounting - easily done by removing the long through bolts and rotating the outer casing - or changing from serpentine to v-belts. Again easily done by unscrewing the drive and fitting the older v-belt pully.

I know that this doesn't get you away from the Lucas alternator but it's a cheap - about £10 a time - way of trying alternators. You might even get a good one!

Hope this helps

Peter
P L Hills

I've had zero problems with the Mercury Capri unit that I fitted a while back, it fits the Rover P5B and MGBGT V8 cradle like it was made for it and the plug in the back is the standard late MGB 3 terminal plug. I can supply more info if needed.
Jake

I'm not sure what alternator they put on the V8. If it's the same as the 4cyl alernator, then the Bosch or Delco alternator that fits any saturn or small engined chev from 91-95 is a straight swap. You have to replace the pully with a v-belt pully and rotate the housing 180 degrees, but other than that it bolts right on. Plus it's not really any bigger. about an extra cm in diameter.

Don't know if that helps. good luck.

~Dave
Dave Ryzuk

I used the 110 amp unit that came with the rangie engine. No electrical problems for me.
M Mallaby

Thanks everyone.

Ended up going for a new RV8 alternator.
Hopefully problem solved.

Mark
Mark

Rv8 alternator fitted and bumping out a healthy 14.6 volts at Idle. Seems to be a lot smoother.

Mark

Mark

Use what is ready avaible. During a long trip you want something you can buy at your nearest auto supply and spend less $$$ Using that philosophy I use a delco one wire. I also keep the wiring ready in case I have to use the 3 wire alt.
Bill Guzman

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2007 and 02/05/2007

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