Lucas Alternator Upgrade / Replacement ????

[PAUL161]

There are still some of us rebuilders that believe the remanufactured Lucas alternator with all new components will perform just as good as any other type of alternator, it is the quality of the alternator and not the name.

Amen.

I agree 100%. I took one of mine to a rebuilder and it came back better than new, simply because all new modern parts were used internally. That was 3 years ago and it still performs flawlessly. I still have a problem with people condemning parts that have performed for 30 to 40 years and finally need rebuilding. How long is a part supposed to last? There's nothing wrong with rebuilt Lucas parts! My Chevy pickup was 10 years old when the alternator went bad and had to be replaced. Gee, seeing how the Lucas lasted 35 years, maybe I should have replaced it with one of those!

PJ

 

[tony barnhill]

Last time I checked, you could get a replacement alternator for an MGB from Advance Auto....probably other parts houses have them readily also.

I'm not talking about anyone in this thread; but, it always amazes me that people buy MGB's and then automatically set out to change them to make them "reliable"....until I retired in 1993, my 1979 MGB was my prime means of transport every day & it was always reliable....we used it as our only car when we took our 6-month RV trip in 2004 & it was always relaible.....the only thing that might make them less reliable today than when new is the 30+ years spanning that time....& they can be returned to complete reliability using all stock parts.

Don't get me wrong...I'll modify or change one in a heartbeat - just not for reliability sake!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I can get a lucas alternator locally, but it usually requires 3-4 hours to get it from the warehouse. They can usually get me a delco in 3-4 minutes.

 

[NardisCNC]

Wow.... what a debate I have started!

Back to the subject. From looking around some more and reading the Alternator Conversion Wiki on this site. I have seen the Bosch 13107 Alternator (from Ford Fiesta) referenced several times, as being a direct bolt-on replacement with hardly any modding. Is this accurate? Then again, its probably not going to be an across the counter part in most places just like the Lucas Part.

Also, the Moss Alternator Conversion appears to tie the New Alternator into the original mechanical voltage regulator, vs bypassing it altogether as shown in the Wiki, since most Alternators have the regulator built in. It seems like bypassing the original regulator would be the way to go, if the alternator has one already. Right??

 

[NardisCNC]

And what about the current rating?

I think the stock Lucas is around 36amps. My car is all original except for Halogen Headlights. And at some point I'd like to install a small amp and a couple speakers for some tunes. Not a receiver, just an amp and I can feed my iPod directly into it using it as a preamp.

Will 36A be plenty for my application, or would I benefit from a little more power?

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Wow.... what a debate I have started!

Back to the subject. From looking around some more and reading the Alternator Conversion Wiki on this site. I have seen the Bosch 13107 Alternator (from Ford Fiesta) referenced several times, as being a direct bolt-on replacement with hardly any modding. Is this accurate? Then again, its probably not going to be an across the counter part in most places just like the Lucas Part.

I did that conversion to my 1500 could not to have been easier.
the stock harness plug fits directly into the Bosch unit- You do have to move one wire tho. The nice thing about the Bosch it is significantly smaller than the GM unit and looks like it belongs there. The GM unit is just too big and bulky lookin.

I think i even purchased it locally across the counter at a NAPA with no waiting.

m



addlink

https://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(sb03kzmonnq4vszrwwmkqz45))/Detail.aspx?R=NAE13107_0214141738

 

[jvandyke]

And what about the current rating?

I think the stock Lucas is around 36amps. My car is all original except for Halogen Headlights. And at some point I'd like to install a small amp and a couple speakers for some tunes. Not a receiver, just an amp and I can feed my iPod directly into it using it as a preamp.

Will 36A be plenty for my application, or would I benefit from a little more power?

FWIW
My '63 still has it's original (rebuilt) generator. I guess it's 36 amps. I have halogen lights, small stereo. At night with headlights on I'm barely breaking even according to the cheap voltmeter I put in place of the ammeter. RPMs down at cruise of 35 or so I'm at tad below or right at 12v. Any high revs and I'm a bit on the good side at 13~14. I have not had a problem yet but then again I have not cruised at night for more than 15 miles or so either. Now if I turn the heater blower on the meter drops a bit more. Turning the stereo off has no discernible effect. I am not going to upgrade unless I see things change and I get nervous.
I did rewire the whole car last winter and put in relays for the headlights (and horn) so maybe my cleaned up connections puts me in a bit better spot.
I have not touched the control box (other than clean up the connection terminals a bit). I assume it is operating as intended (after 46 years I should add).

 

[NardisCNC]

What about bypassing the original mechanical voltage regulator??

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Yes, you need to bypass it if you get an alternator with an internal regulator. Was that the question?

 

[NardisCNC]

Yeah, Thanks. Now I just need to figure out which Alternator I'm going to use. I'm thinking about either having my Lucas Rebuilt by the local shop, or getting the Bosch 13107 at this point. Still don't know for sure what I'm gonna do. Thanks for all the comments!!

 

[jvandyke]

Yeah, Thanks. Now I just need to figure out which Alternator I'm going to use. I'm thinking about either having my Lucas Rebuilt by the local shop, or getting the Bosch 13107 at this point. Still don't know for sure what I'm gonna do. Thanks for all the comments!!

What made you decide you needed to upgrade?

 

[NardisCNC]

That sounds like a trick question... Considering you've been shooting down anything said about a quote/unquote upgrade

Anyway, haven't decided anything yet. But either way, I'll definitely have my Lucas distributor rebuilt. If I don't use it, I'll keep it in the trunk!

 

[texas_bugeye]

Na dont do that lousy source of ballast and it will dimple the fenders in the corners

 

[jvandyke]

That sounds like a trick question... Considering you've been shooting down anything said about a quote/unquote upgrade

Anyway, haven't decided anything yet. But either way, I'll definitely have my Lucas distributor rebuilt. If I don't use it, I'll keep it in the trunk!

I'm not against upgrades at all, I've been thinking about going alternator on mine but only if I NEED to and I'm not yet convinced I do. I think sometimes people (myself included) rush into "upgrades" too quickly. I did an alternator upgrade on my last car (an Opel). I'm an "if it ain't broke don't fix it" guy and put the $$ someplace shiny. That's not to say I don't maintain stuff and keep a wary eye on everything though.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Best Darn upgrade i ever did.


m

 

[George Zeck]

NardisCNC -

This post seems to have strayed way from its original intent.

An easy upgrade would be the Delco. Does it look large? Yes -- so what? It's easily available and with modest mod's - your up and runing quickly.

My initiall alternator went bad - the case came apart - giving credence to the posters who talk about quality parts. It was replaced under warranty. I have no complaints.

Whichever way you go - assuming you do the wotk - means you never be slave to a mechanic wanting to overcharge you for an easy project. Quit talking and replace the thing already.

George

 

[JPSmit]

NardisCNC -

My initiall alternator went bad - the case came apart - giving credence to the posters who talk about quality parts. It was replaced under warranty. I have no complaints.

Which is exactly what happened with me - was going to cost more to rebuild the Lucas than buy the Delco - that and the higher output made it an easy decision. Plus, other than the plug nothing was cut, so, I can always reverse it.

 

[Guest]

If you want a common alternator, then the big Delco unit is the one you you want. There is one with the tension ear at 3:00 position, but I can not remember the application ... 80's camaro I think.

It is NOT the "BIG" Delco unit, it is the "small "one (pre 88, as the replacement one is even "smaller"). The Big units are the 70 and 90 amps which weren't as widely used as the 63 and 78 amp size. Basically anything GM from 73 to 87 (maybe a bit later) that isn't loaded w/ alot of options. Caddy used the "big" unit mostly.

The easiest way to tell the difference b/w the 63 and the 78 is by the fan which has enclosed plastic fins on the 78 amp. The 63 has the regular metal fan. Either will fit in the same brackets. The 70 and 90's are larger.

The old numbers on the 63 are 7127 with a number depicting clocking of plug w/ the threaded ear up and w/ the back facing you.7127- 3 is 3:00, a 6 is 6:00, 9 is....

It really doesn't matter as any of these are easily reclocked.

I'v sold and clocked THOUSANDS of these things.


There was/is a 108 amp but I can't remeber if it's "big" or small". I think a 105 too. I want to say 108 was small and 105 was big but I might be wrong.

It's was a LONG time ago !!!!!

p.s alot of partshouses aren't carring the 7127's anymore. I was at Pep Boys the other day when they were packing all of the "old" stuff I sold in the 80's and 90's to be set back the the warehouse for "special order only".

It's still a good unit that's easily rebuild.

 

[Guest]

......I have a Lucas on mine w/ a lifetime warranty that I paid $55 for. I had to change it once after only a few days BUT, it's easy, my car is still original and it has a LIFETIME WARRRANTY !!!! I'll never buy another again.

I've got a lifetime strater here too for when this one goes out. That was $50 or $55. I like my car being original. Every "steetrod" on the planet has a GM alt on it. It just doesn't look right on a Midget. To me it says "I just don't care".

My buddy has one on his raggedy diesel Jetta. It once belonged to me......it had a Bosch on it then.


..........and the Bosch is a really COOL unit as you can take out the brushes and reg while it's on the car with just TWO SCREWS !!!!!!

 

[Sarastro]

And what about the current rating?

I think the stock Lucas is around 36amps. My car is all original except for Halogen Headlights. And at some point I'd like to install a small amp and a couple speakers for some tunes. Not a receiver, just an amp and I can feed my iPod directly into it using it as a preamp.

Will 36A be plenty for my application, or would I benefit from a little more power?

In my opinion, the 35-36 amp Lucas is marginal. It's OK for stock, with perhaps some additional electrical load (e.g., halogen headlights), but if you add anything more, it might not keep up with the current drain, especially at low speeds. The 90 amp (or more) ones are overkill for 99% of our cars; I'd use one of these only if you have some good reason for it, like a really high-power audio system (which also doesn't make much sense in these cars). The common 55-amp units are about right for most of us. I have the Bosch 55-amp alternator, halogen lights, electric fuel pump, electronic ignition. It keeps the voltage up where it should be (important for battery life) and meets the full electrical load, even at idle.

By the way, it's really hard to tell if the alternator/generator is really meeting the load if you just have a voltmeter. When I installed my ammeter, I was really disturbed at how high the battery drain was at idle with lights on. Since the generator also didn't charge the battery well, I was lucky the car didn't die when I drove it at night.