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Triumph TR3 - Alternator Upgrade

Hi Guys,

I have just acquired my first TR3. It's a 1958 TR3A with a TR4 fully syncro transmission, negative ground.

My question is; I fear the generator may be weak. If I wanted to "upgrade" to an alternator, what do I need to do? Which alternator should I use? Is this a common swap / upgrade?

Thanks in advance,
DT
Danny T

Hi Danny
Sorry I don't have a 3 so no firsthand experience.

Don our resident 3 guru is a bit under the weather.

The best info it seems is at VTR which is also under the weather for a bit due to hurricanes?

This is there link hope it will be backup soon.

http://www.vtr.org/maintain/alternator/conversions.html

Tom, Brian or Berry will probably pickup and may have further info.

72 TR6
Bill

Bill Brayford

Welcome aboard Danny-As Bill indicated, there are instructions for converting to an alt on the VTR site. Also, if you register as a member (free) of this board, you will get all of the collective wisdom of the archieves. I haven't had a TR3 for a few years, having deserted the ranks for the comfort of a TR6. Although the gen. of the 3 is pretty anemic, it is adequate unless some high amp accessories are added. Converting to an alt. may require changing the crank and water pump pulleys to a narrower size. The stock fan belts usually have a short life unless replaced by the cogged type. Perhaps others who have actually made the conversion can chime in.
Berry Price
Albany, Or
BTP Price

There's someone that sells conversion kits on ebay occasionally. They have a new wide belt pulley on the alternator. You may try cleaning the points (if it's a Lucas, the German ones are throwaway) and adjusting, or replacing the regulator (control box) first. That and bad connections are usually the problem with charging, although the generators are marginal. You might want to research a little to guarantee your coil is connected properly for negative ground. I'm one of those stubborn types that want to keep the generator and positive ground for whatever reason.
Tom

Welcome, Danny: Congrats on joining the ranks...
What leads you to point to gen. weakness and why not just rebuild it? Checking the control box for proper function as well as the rest of the charging system would be a good starting point. If you didn't get a factory service manual as part of your purchase, try and find one on e-bay or pick up a Haynes.
Like Tom, I prefer to keep most things the way they were originally - if it 'aint broke...

Speaking of generators, can they be rebuilt to provide higher output w/o effecting the rest of the system?

Mike G. '56 TR3
Mike G.

Hi Guys,

My generator is still charging at the moment, but it's only putting put some 13 amps. Also, it has started to whine quite loadly. I know it can be rebuilt, but while it is off, I thought this might be a great time to upgrade to the alternator. This car is a driver and will be driven a lot. I also hope to install a hidden radio, (probably in the glovebox), and I don't want to constantly be straining the older generator.

I wnet to the VTR site and the articles there were very cklear and direct about the conversion. My only current concern is getting a wide pully on an alternator.
Danny T

It's your car, make it what you like. The links provided will give most anything you need to know about the conversion. Dan Masters contributes to the TR6 section here occasionally, I'm sure he'd clear up any questions you may have after reading his articles.

There's also a company overseas called Revington TR's that has pulleys, conversions, lots of improved parts for these cars. Easy to find on Google or whatever.
Tom

This thread was discussed between 02/10/2004 and 06/10/2004

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