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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Invisible alternator conversion

I would fit an alternator to my TD if I could hide it within the dynamo case. I recently saw a very small Lucas alternator which was the correct size and had a shaft going straight through the rotor and so could be used for the tacho drive. I found it was from a motor bike. Is there anyone out there that is familiar with two wheeled machines and could provide advice / comment ?

I would also be interested in converting my 1930 M Type - the one with the vertical dynamo. Problem may be the speed since the dynamo shaft runs at half engine speed. I realise I should be posting this part of my message on the pre war pages but no one ever replies !


Jan T

Jan Targosz

Jan - There was a discussion about this recently and two names came up regarding what you are asking for. They are:
I ran into a chap at Stoneleigh last year that puts alternators into T-Series generator shells including the rev-counter take-off. He had several on his stand and they looked to be quite professional and undistinguisable from the original generator.
He didn't have a web-site,(Sorry, no name)so contact :-
Classic & Vintage Dynamos
Unit 7, Shirebrook Business Centre
Vernon Court
Vernon Street
Shirebrooke
Nottinghamshire NG20 8SP
UK
tel:- 011 44 01623 747666

Race Mettle Ltd.
Does a nice conversion of a 20 watt Lucas dynamo into a 40 watt alternator. The conversion is nearly impossible to spot though not cheap, about 350 pounds.
Each unit is hand made with only the original end plates reused. I understand the main body is turned from a solid aluminum billet! I The finished unit weighs half what the old iron job does.
Contact them at racemettleltd.co.uk

If your M Type is anything like the P Type that I had a number of years ago, you certainly won't need to worry about the dynamo (or alternator) bearings running dry;)
Good luck - Dave

David DuBois

David,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I do recall the recent thread and that is what prompted me to consider an alternator.I was speaking to the guy from Classic & Vintage Dynamos last Sunday at the Great British Autojumble in Birmingham (a great event - I managed to buy a pair of Lucas R40B headlamps for the M Type). He said he wasn't interested in alternator conversions but quoted me about £350 to convert the M Type 6 volt dynamo to a two brush 12 volt one. It's the possibility of converting an alternator from a motor bike for £50 that appeals to me but unfortunately I am ignorant on bike parts.

Didn't know you used to have a P Type. I have fitted a modern lip seal in the upper bevel gear drain housing and it completely cures the oil leak. Also, unlike XPAG engines, it very easy to fit effective seals to the front and rear of the crank on the overhead cam engines. The diameters are only about 1.5" so seals work really well.

Now waiting for a response from those who were bikers in their youth - or possibly still are.


Jan T
J Targosz

This thread was discussed on 11/01/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.