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MG MGB Technical - Alternator conversion Mk1 MGB

With the onset of darker evenings and the probable increase in use of wipers, I am considering an alternator conversion for my car, as the dynamo really struggles during winter use, particularly as I have recently fitted an electric fan to add to the load. The car is already converted to negative earth. Does anyone have any experience of fitting an alternator ? I would prefer to dispense with the RB340 voltage regulator as well, as this has been a previous source of unreliability. If I do this, how much will I have to modify the wiring loom. Also, is an alternator good idea anyway on an old car that still has the original 46 year old wiring loom in place, or would I be inviting trouble ?

Mike Pim-Keirle

Hi Mike,

Paul Hunt's website has full instructions. I have done this to my '66 MK1 without any problems. Note that the alternator is shorter than the dynamo and either needs a new bracket or some other way of fixeing it into place.

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/charge1a.htm

Herb
Herb Adler

A dynamo regulator wouldn't work with an alternator anyway. The earliest alternators on the MGB did have an external voltage regulator, but it wasn't the same as the dynamo control box, and you would be unlikely to find one of those anyway (and if you did it would be perverse to fit it). Why do you have an electric fan? Shouldn't need done in the UK at any time, especially for the next six months, simply disconnect it.
PaulH Solihull

I converted my '67 over to negative earth and an alternator some 30 years ago. I used a Delco alternator, with a built in voltage regulator, until I installed the Moss supercharger system in '02. It came with a new Lucas alternator as part of the kit. It has been in the car for almost a decade and has performed flawlessly. The only modification needed is the purchase of a bracket to hold the back of the alternator in place. Moss sells the bracket as well as the new Lucas alternator. RAY
rjm RAY

Quick and very easy. Use Paul,s instructions and you will have this done in an hour or less. As for the regulator. I did leave it for looks reasons, The early B looks odd without something in that spot.
Bruce Cunha

I kept my regulator and used it as a junction. RAY
rjm RAY

This thread was discussed between 05/10/2011 and 06/10/2011

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