Martx5-Thanks pal!!

[Tinster]

Martx- I pulled the new alternator out of the trash bin
and attempted to follow your details instructions
on how to salvage it. Promised you a photo if your
technique worked. It did, photo attached.

And here is the photo process of how to change out a
Lucas alternator for a GM unit. I know the TR experts
on the internet have fancy web pages on changing out
alternators but I'm just a know nothing hack so if I
can manage it, anyone can.

https://community.webshots.com/user/DTBanks

Thanks to everyone who offered me suggestions on how
to go about this process.

dale

 

[martx-5]

You know, so many people have helped me on this forum, it's a good feeling when you can contribute and help others out. I had almost forgotten about your hassle with that Delco alternator, but I'm glad you took the time to put it back together again.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[Alan_Myers]

Re: Alternator conversion

Hi Dale,

I was surprised to see you took the alternator apart! I can see why you did (to paint it... right?) and am glad you got it back together, though!

Next time, might I suggest to just use masking tape? First use it to close up all the holes during the grinding and cutting on the lower mounting lug of the alternator (best keep the grinding dust and metal debris out of the alternator!). Then use it to mask things off while painting! I think that might be easier, unless you really, really want to see what's inside an alternator... and fiddle with the reassembly! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The suggestions you got for reassembly were good. BTW, instead of paper clips or wire to temporarily hold the brushes back during assembly, I've occasionally found plastic zip ties or even a strong piece of thread useful. Once it's assembled, snip the zip tie or thread and just pull it out of the way to let the brushes spring back into place. These are just a couple alternatives that might help in one case or another.

Looks like you worked out the upper mounting bracket/adjuster, too. It's different on TR6, than I had to deal with. On the TR4 it was easy because the original bracket can be re-used with minor modification. The mods were mostly just careful straightening of the bracket /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif to align the alternator, then a little grinding on its underside to get a little more clearance between the bracket and the alternator body. No biggie!

I do plan to eventually replace that upper bracket on my car, with the type that's sort of a reversed turnbuckle with rod ends. That will make adjustment even easier. A local hardware store has the RH and LH threaded rod ends I need. I've just not been able to find the right type of threaded spacer tube as a separate item. These seem to mostly be sold as part of kits for highly popular engines, such as Chevy small block and Ford 302. I'm too Scottish to buy a kit and throw most of it away, to get one part I need! Heck, I'd just make the spacer tube, but don't have some of the tools avaialable right now, that would be needed to do the job right (a drill press and/or a lathe would do nicely!).

I don't think you mentioned it in your slidewhow, but one thing to folks need to watch out for when setting up the converision is that all the engine pulleys are in alignment. This is important so the belt won't put any undue strain on one part or another, which could lead to early bearing failure in either the water pump or the alternator.

It was pretty easy to align the pulleys on my car since the body was completely lifted off at the time I wasa installing the alternator conversion. But even without that luxury and working under the hood and between the fenders, eyeballing it from various angles and perhaps using a straightedge here and there will usually do the trick. One thing that might help visualize and maybe even measure is to loop some white string around all the pulleys, in place of the belt. Or, it might be enough to just temporarily install the belt itself. I finally needed to do a little bit of shimming with washers, to get really accurate alignment.

Now that you have modified the alternator to fit the car, I suggest if it ever needs it that you have it rebuilt, rather than exhanging it for another (which is what most auto parts stores will want to do). Usually one can find a local auto electrical shop that does alternator (and generator, perhaps even starter) rebuilds, particularly on a really common unit like the Delco 7127. By having this particular unit rebuilt, if and when it's ever needed, you can avoid having to "customize" another one before it can be fitted. Generally the cost of a rebuild is about the same as an exchange.

Looks like you are having fun with your TR6 and might have it up and running soon! That will be great! But, IMHO, it's also a lot of fun working on these cars and solving problems.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Tinster]

Re: Alternator conversion

Hey Alan,

Nope, I didn't take it apart to paint it. I took
it apart out of total and complete ignorance as
to what I was doing. I didn't have a clue and that's
the truth.

I kinda figured it would be bad to have all those
metal grindings inside the alternator. So I thought
I was simply taking off the cover. SPROING!!!!
Out popped the innards!

I used a length of bright orange, thick, heavy duty
extension cord to loop around everything to find the
even plane.

I put a coating of that cooked on red plastic powder
just for the fun of it. It looks much better than the
photo.

We were at staying at the beach when Ernesto went by us.
A bit of wind, some rain but he took out the entire sandy
beach overnight. Very strong ocean currents. Beach 95%
gone.

later gator,

d