MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I'm thinking about getting a new alternator soon any sugestions on a good one to repalce the orginial? Should I up grade the amps? The old one is ok as now but I'm afraid it may go out on me soon and having a back up would be nice. Or should I just go with it ain't broke so don't fix it now theory!
79 MGB
Thanks for the imput !
Chas
Chas:
If it was me, I'd opt to spend $112 on a Saturn or Bosch 96 amp upgrade. Here's a URL:
http://mgccars.com/96_amp_alternator_upgrade.htm
And, no - I don't have any vested interest in this site. Just know a good deal when I see one!
tfisher7621 Wrote:
same here, Ist quality product and service. I ordered online at about 10:30 wednesday night and it was at my front door US MAIL on saturday morning.
I'll fifth that recommendation. You might be able to do it cheaper, but if you want a simple effective bolt on solution - then that is it.
Ditto x4. Oddly, I got a spare from him also. I haven't needed it, of course, but old paranoia dies hard.
I'm contrarian. If you do not have any electrical accessories that require more current, then the stock alternator is just fine. It can be rebuilt quite inexpensively. If it is working now, then change the bearings, the brushes (and maybe the commutator) and you are set. Regulator/diode failures are not predictable (or even age related) but either of these problems is fixed inexpensively (about $20 each) if they occur. The stock alternators are quite reliable. My Lucas alternator has outlasted modern alternators in several other cars.
If you need more power, or more power at idle (where the stock alternator is weak) then definitely consider an upgrade.
I don't think the B 'NEEDS' the higher amp alternator. It is a good low cost modification. If you need the amp at some point..they will be there! But I do agree there is nothing wrong with the Lucas alternator.
Similar price to the Lucas, but higher amps. Unless you are going for 100 points..I would go with the GM alternator
Well I just ordered it at least my mind will be at ease. Thanks for those with suggestions and Thanks Tom for the link & tip
Don't forget that most Delcos maintain higher voltages than do Lucas(and Bosch) alternators which gives the accessories a bit more zing. A lot of folks equate the brighter lights, etc to the high amp rating.
I installed a Saturn "kit" from e-bay on the father-in-law's '71 'cause the bearings in the Lucas were growling and it made a nice difference in starting, lights, etc. It's a slick, inexpensive setup and dead easy to install.
Yeah, my Denso alternator holds about 15 volts (I guess it was better than the 18 volts the old Lucas was putting out because of a bad regulator), so it is a bit higher than stock, but fires that engine up on the first or second turn.
Hurst
I bought a rebuilt Lucas from Advance Auto for about $66.00 And it has a lifetime warranty, That's lifetime..
I don't have many high current draw items that did not come with the car as OE. Halogen headlamps, a rear window defogger (which the roadster folks never had to contend with), and an electric cooling fan were about the extent of it. However, many of the problems associated with some of the early generator and alternator units actually had more to do with OE wiring and can be resolved rather easily with relays and shorter, more direct runs for power to these items than the factory chose in its day.
Nonetheless, if an owner has one of the older generator or early alternators (16AC or 16ACR) those problems (higher rpm cut-in for those alternators, and lower capacity) can usually (in my limited experience) be remedied by use of either the later 18ACR Lucas unit or the Ford Fiesta Bosch unit I have used and written about for years. In most cases, but not all, the extra reserve capacity of the Saturn Bosch/Delco unit is not necessary, but is not a problem either. If a person has a real need for capacity beyond what the Lucas 18ACR or Fiesta Bosch unit can handle, then by all means, the Saturn Delco is a reasonable choice.
I went for the Bosch many years ago simply because it was easy and had two very redeeming qualities that I was aware of at the time ~ lower cut-in rpms when idling, AND higher capacity than the puny 16AC alternator (the first used) on my 68 GT. With it (and also the Lucas 18ACR) one could daily drive one of our cars even in the dead of winter knowing that even with all the high current draw accessories on at the same time, you would not see 8-9VDC or kill the engine when you came to a long stop light or even a stop sign at -20F at night. FWIW