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MG MGB Technical - Alternator Options UK

The BGT and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary together last night by being towed home on a flat bed truck.

The alternator had given up.

I have looked in the archives for alternator options over the standard Lucas option but most of the (gazillion) posts of this type refer to the alternative units available in the US (i tried Halfords to see what they have in stock, but didnt have much luck...).

Does anyone know of a good rated alternative alternator that can be used in the UK?? Parts numbers etc.

I have no real probs with a new (standard) Lucas item, but am of the impression it doesnt have a very high amp output. If i can fit an alternative higher output alternator i would prefer to fit this... (as most people i run stereo, 100watt headlamps, 2 speed heater motor fan, HRW etc etc so assume a 60-ish amp alt would be ideal?!?)

Thanks in advance

~PHIL
Phil

The Lucas ACR range included everything up to Big Jags so you ought to get something to bolt on, perfect fit but with a bigger output.

OR

Fit an EDGE alternator from Cambridge Motorsport.
Daniel

Cheers Daniel - you have a web address or similar for cambridge motorsport??

~PHIL
Phil

Don't know if this is availiable to you, but it is by far better than any Lucas alt that I have ever had. I will never buy another Lucas unless there is no other way!
http://hometown.aol.com/idbritcars/boschAlt.html
gerry masterman

Cheapest and best fit is a Bosch alternator from a Ford Sierra - 70 amps and a direct swap.
Chris Betson

Phil and Chris,
thanks for the wake up about your needs in Britain. I would be happy to post info about which years of Ford Sierra Alternators to use on my Alt. conversion website if you will post the info here or send to me. Thanks.
Bob Muenchausen

Chris

Thanks i will follow up the sierra option

Bob

As soon as i have something useful to contribute i will try and remember to post something for your website. Just to let you know your page was my first port of call when i knew what i needed, but i didnt have much luck with parts numbers with the suppliers i tried over here.

Anyway cheers once more guys, new years wishes to you all


~PHIL
Phil

Chris, I'm sure you'd post the info here but if not, can you let me know more details of the Sierra swap? I've just noticed that my 17ACR has blown (or perhaps snapped) a diode and I like the sound of 70 amps.

It's bad weather for batteries and alternators at the moment... have just put a new battery in my car and had to jump-start my Mum's Mini and the Morris with it. Roll on the spring, I say!

Cheers,
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

I followed Bob M's very useful page for swapping to the Bosch alternator. My local branch of 'ARE' (http://www.are.ltd.uk) managed to get me one using the US part number from Bobs page.

Ive just been out to the garage and had a look at the box it came it - On it in hand writing is 30760, and then the printed part number seems to be '0 986 030 768-09D'. The 30 768 is in larger print that the rest of the number, so may be the part number. The same label says that its a 55Amp, 14 V alt. for a Ford (But I dont know which models)

I would have look at the altenator but the car is away having some bodywork done.

I hope this is some use to you. As for getting the altenator I tried a number of places, but the branch of the shop linked above ordered one in for me within 2 days just with a phone call to them.

Richard
Richard Knowles

Thanks for the feedback, Richard. I am always learning something about this conversion and alternator and especially, the real world aspects of how trying to do this affects different folks in different parts of the world. It is one thing to post something like my page on the web - seemingly having some sort of authoritativeness by doing so, and quite another to realize that what should work doesn't always or works beyond your expectations. Learning what your experiences are only enhances my ability to deliver more of what was intended, and eliminate the wild goose chases and dead ends for as many as possible.
Bob Muenchausen

Bob, I just wanted to let you know that I'd finally found a freshly rebuilt 13107 Bosch alternater. Where? Ebay!!!! $35 = $15 shipping. I was the only bidder. Now all I have to do is wait for the temperature to get over 5*F to install it in my uninsulated, unheated, rented garage. Grrr & Brrr.
Derek Nicholson

The Sierra alternator I have on the V8 is a Bosch one - serial 0 120 488 149 178, it is a 28/70 amp unit. It has the correct lug pattern for the V8 application (and is delightfully short to clear the rocker cover!) but the reverse to that required for the 4 cylinder - there were similar Bosch units with the correct lug pattern for the 4 cyl but I have no details of those. Note that these Bosch alts are held together with 4 bolts instead of the Lucas three bolt set up, so rotating the front plate to gett he correct lug pattern is NOT an option on these.

Local alternator suppliers should be able to provide details.

The other difference is that instead of the dreadful three spade plug that always seems to burn out, the Bosch has three threaded posts to secure the wires - much more satisfactory, in my opinion.

If you want to stay with the Prince of Darkness, there are several applications of the Lucas A127 alternator which will fit.
Chris Betson

www.cambridgemotorsport.com

Apart from the 75 Amp option as well as the 45 Amp they are a lot lighter than than Lucas ACR, A127 etc.
Daniel

Chris, Daniel, thanks for the input and leads. These should prove worthwhile for others, especially where the Sierra has been sold.

Bob Muenchausen

'lo all,

Cheers for the info. Shame the Sierra one doesn't fit 4cyl cars, I was looking forwards to 70A! Ah well, I'll just have to cope with 55, as long as I can find a Fiesta one. Cheers for the great conversion page, Bob.

off to the scrappy,
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2003 and 13/01/2003

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