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SilentUnicorn

SilentUnicorn

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Ok alternater conversions again. looking for opinions on the best one for my 1500. seems my alt is not charging very well.

mark
 
I put the AC Delco unit on my 1500. Cost me about 50 bucks total from Advance Auto. It is a bit large for the engine but now I have 63 amps available and everything seems to work a little better. I can even remove #1 spark plug without taking everything apart...lol.
JC
 
One of our NZ members (sultanoswing) recently posted this link for the Fiesta alternator conversion:

https://www.s95408591.onlinehome.us/27504.html

My alternator is a Mitsu unit (from an old Corolla, Ford Probe and others). It's only about 40 amps and is pretty light and small. I put it in about 6 years ago when the car was on the street and it has never failed. It's only 2 wires as I recall. The interesting thing is that I pulled off the small drive pully and put on a large-diameter modified Lucas air-pump pully (to slow it down and save engine power). Even so, it has worked fine at night with headlights and heater on. It also has a smaller diameter front crank pully...still puts out plenty of juice.
Previously, I had a rebuilt Delco unit which failed internally and seemed kind of large anyway (but I agree, they are cheap and readily available here in the USA). Two of my friends have gone to Japanese alternators after their Delco conversion failed also (Sprite and MGB) but that may just be a coincedence.
The other racing Sprite I drive occasionally (yellow # 23) has a Delco unit driven off the driveshaft and mounted where the passenger seat is normally located. No juice until you go about 35 MPH and it's kind of weird to see the thing flailing away next to you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
I too used a Mitsubishi alt, It was from a Mazda GLC. I got a rebuilt unit. Just make sure before installing it that the internal voltage regulator is putting out the correct voltage. Mine was WAY to high. I got it for $35. After installing it and driving it a bit it cooked my Optima battery. Cost $65 to fix the regulator, now it is fine. I am running halogan headlights now. Very happy with the whole conversion. I only had to get a universal mounting bracket cut down to size and a longer upper mounting bolt with aluminum tubing sheathing around the bolt to fit in the old space. So it could be changed back if needed. I will never do it though. I also changed it over to neg ground. Simple hookup. All I need to do is change over from mechanical to electric tach. I have one, just not time to do it, been to busy driving it!
 
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