altenater vs generator?

[mtlman8]

before I rebuild the generator... how easy is it to swap in an altenater, and what are the benefits? its a 67 tr4a

 

[TR3driver]

Depends a bit on how handy you are. Your 4A should already be negative ground, so that's covered. You'll need to cobble together some sort of mount; my last one was just a long bolt & a chunk of water pipe. Have to work out what to do for a pulley (I had a ruined generator pulley bored out to fit the alternator shaft). Run some wires to the alternator, and you're done.

I did it primarily to get more charging ability (kind of important for a daily driver, especially working second shift in the winter), but also really liked the options it opened up in terms of additional electrical equipment (high power headlights, electric radiator fan, stereo, etc.).

And in general, at least for me, it was much more reliable. But that probably had a lot to do with my trying to coax more from the original generator than it could handle. There for awhile, I was toasting a generator every month or two.

The 'project' TR3 lost it's generator today, on the way home from Yosemite. Think I'll tackle that conversion myself, sooner rather than later. I've already got a cute little alternator that is about the same size ...

 

[UmmYeahOk]

While trying to clean up and prep my generator, it cracked, and that piece is no longer available. I do have an extra generator, but when with an alternator because:

1) I didnt even know cars had generators, until I got my GT6
2) An alternator is just a cheap as rebuilding an old generator
3) It puts out more amps, and I plan on actually using electrics in my car
4) As cool as it is for me to push the car down the road (never could before) Id rather not have to for safety and health reasons (should the battery fail to keep a charge.)




I assume a wiring harness will have to be modified/added to except the new alternator. Maybe even a custom bracket.

 

[LBCs_since_1988]

If you're keeping the electrical system stock then keep the generator. I've still got mine and it's been going strong for 12 years.

 

[tdskip]

You shouldn't have to change the wiring harness simply because you add an alternator if you keep the output of the alternator reasonable.

 

[TR3TR6]

There is really no comparison between the two. I put a 10si alternator on my TR3 to keep the battery charged up. At idle, it discharged with the generator; at night, it really discharged with the lights on at idle. I added an electric fan to help with the cooling and it never discharges no matter what I have turned on, with the alternator. I took the alterator to a starter/alterator shop along with my belt and had them match a pulley to the shaft and belt size. Have had no problems with it.

 

[DanB]

My TR4A (built in Nov. 1965, sold as 1966 model) was positive earth when I got it. We changed that around shortly after, and converted to a Delco alternator shortly after that. The Delco provided plenty of charging capability, but it was a little too big physically to provide adequate adjustment, and consequently resulted in belt problems. That was in the early '80s. Now, smaller alternators are plentiful, and about 10 years ago, I changed to a mitusbishi alternator from a Geo. That allowed me to go back to the original size belt. A bushing had to be made to adapt the pulley from the generator to the alternator, and brackets fabricated. I have been pretty happy with the switch.

Dan B
South Charleston, WV
66 TR4AIRS EFI
80 TR7 DHC

 

[Geo Hahn]

So... it may depend on your driving habits and what electrics you add. Living in PHX I'm guessing electric heated seats are not your priority (since we have solar-powered heated seats here in AZ).

I use the generator and drive a mix of casual daily use, rare night-time use and occasional long (1000 mile) trips. I have an electric fan (manually operated which is seldom), a radio (almost never), H4 headlamps but no other non-stock items. The dynamo keeps up fine.

 

[TR4nut]

I put in a 10si in my TR4 and have never looked back - the generator was working, but its low output coupled with an old starter left me stranded a couple of times. Installation is straightforward, suggest you read up on the how-tos on the VTR website if you haven't seen them - that helped me a lot.

This time around on the TR3A I'll be using a smaller Nippondenso setup - only issue I've had so far with that decision is that I couldn't easily find a wide pulley for it so I will be running a narrow belt setup for now.

 

[TR6oldtimer]

the generator was working, but its low output coupled with an old starter left me stranded a couple of times...

That is why they gave you a hand crank. I used it many a time to start my TR4, and it was a lot easier the push starting...

 

[Geo Hahn]

That is why they gave you a hand crank...

Except by '64 they had eliminated the crank (and more importantly, the hole).

 

[mtlman8]

altenater it is! thanx for all the info guys.

 

[TFB]

Another reason I am going with alternator is to get the electronic voltage regulation,and the fact that my car came with no generator t,and a beat up mechanical regulator.
Ebay seller Rareelelectrical has a nice looking Kubota alter.,new 40 A internal reg. for $72 .I would post link if I could figure out how to copy and paste it.
Tom

 

[ekamm]

highlight the url at the top of the browser when on the intended page and then right click and copy. Then on your active reply withe the cursor selected , right click and select paste.

 

[TFB]

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...0505763844&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
hope this works.Should be link to alternator I am thinking of buying.
Thanks Eric for instructions.
Improving my computer skills and TR knowlegege,all at the same site,
Thanks
Tom

 

[TFB]

ebay alternator
second try

 

[ekamm]

The link didn't work for me. You might have missed part of it when you highlighted it?

 

[TFB]

ebay alter.
third try

 

[ekamm]

That works!

 

[Darrell_Walker]

Looks similar, if not the same, to the Nippondenso alternator I installed. I like it because it is quite small, and while an upgrade in amps over the stock generator, it isn't a crazy amount over.