MGB Alternator Fitting

[chesney]

Hi all,
I just got this alternator for a fiver, believed to be from an MGB. Has anyone had any experience with these alternators or even fitted one to an A series?


I suspect this one is too far gone for me to use, as the red wires on the back have broken at the base leaving no wire to solder to.. Still, if it can be fitted may be worth persevering?

[bmcecosse]

What make/type is it? Can only see 'Made in UK' - is it a Lucas 11 AC ???

[chesney]

Looking from images and from this site
http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read ... 081,page=1
I think it is an 11AC. t has no markings on it at all (other than Lucas/made in UK). The wiring confuses me, it has two small canisters, two connectors at (approx) 1 and 5 o'clock and two wire terminals. I suspect the two canisters are joined to the two connectors, but one has broken at the tip of the canister so cannot be resoldered. It came with a fitting kit from ESM but, of course, this has the 'Euro' plug on the end and isn't compatible.

[bmcecosse]

The 11 AC is an old design - and requires an external 4TR unit - and 3AW and 6RA relays........ Unless you have these - it's not an economic proposition..... This page is informative - if you can follow it!! http://www.rootesparts.com/id230.htm

The 3 AW relay is £27 alone !!! This is what you really want - and very reasonably priced too........ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUCAS-TYPE-16 ... 484893dbaa

[chesney]

Think I'll leave reading that diagram till the morning when my eyes work better
Reading the posts on here, the 11AC is either positive or negative earth, my Minor is negative earth but I'm not sure how to tell which is which on an alternator. Also, the fan (?) part is bent, although the pulley is straight, and also like I say the wires are knackered and I don't trust my lecky skills enough to add all the rest on. Will get one of ESM's alternators. I did have a look at two scrappys BMC, the oldest vehicle there was a 90's Escort van (an excellent van from past experience, but not what I'm after alternator wise). Such a shame, ho hum wallet out again .

[bmcecosse]

The ESM one is expensive - see this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUCAS-TYPE-16 ... 484893dbaa

[chesney]

That one is tempting - but it is remanufactured as opposed to ESM's 'New'.
Trouble is with remanufactured parts, it's only as good as the person who remanufactured it (mind you it comes with a warranty). With a new one, you'd expect it to last some, but modern quality, who knows .
As an aside, I have a 948 with a new fan belt (1000 miles on it). ESM don't list an alternator specific belt, but they sell one as part of their alternator fitting kit. Do I need a specific belt for an ACR alternator?
I won't be getting one for a while yet, thinking of the best plan really..

[bmcecosse]

You may need a slightly shorter belt - 825 mm springs to mind........ I try to only pay £1 for alternators........£5 max !

[chesney]

I paid £5 for that alternator - us newbies clearly can't find the barguins like you old hands
that eBay one doesn't appear to come with a pulley or fan either - I'll ask the seller..
I'm sure we stock the correct fan belt at work, making good use of the staff discount there ;)

[kennatt]

dont think its mgb unless very early,all of the ones I had were acr like this with the multiplug connector and inbuilt regulator,I used the same belt as the dynamo fitted ok,the multiplug and harness is available from traders,got mine from tom roys[frame][/frame]

[chesney]

I was told it came out of an MGB - but it's easy for us to get our wires crossed (forgive the pun ).
I dunno what year it came from, perhaps the chap had it as a spare, without knowing it wouldn't directly fit?

[bmcecosse]

You don't need the special connector -a large Lucar does the power feed - and a small one the Ign light connection.