Alternator and electronic ignition kits

[GPO_Van]

Hello all
I want to buy an alternator Kit for my 1098cc traveller, any recommendations please as where to buy, or pm me if you want to tell me who to avoid.
And the same for electronic ignition please.
I’m asking this because of the varying quality of past purchases and the large differences in price, I’d rather go with a recommendation that someone else is happy with.
Thanks

[mogbob]

Could you clarify first of all please.
Are you looking for an Electronic kit to convert your " existing " distributor or a " complete " new electronic distributor ( Lucas 25D4 or 45D4 ).
Alternator kit ...an 18ACR 45 amp output plus bits for fitting e.g bracket , pulley , drive / fan belt , nuts and bolts ? Or is it a straight replacement for your old Alternator ?
( A negative earth vehicle assumed ? )
Bob

[GPO_Van]

Hi Mogbob

Replacing faulty old style Dynamo, so will need a full Alternator and fitting kit.
Electronic kit to convert my existing distributor.
Not yet changed to -ve Earth, but I know it needs doing.

Thanks

[samuria]

i bought one of these a few years ago and have had no problems with it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor- ... Sw8gVX9ShF
as for the alternator i got a lucas one and built the kit my self one like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-MINOR- ... o_YOjr5Ruw

[mogbob]

Quick response appreciated , out baby sitting , apologies for delay in responding.
For the "conversion kit " for the distributor ( gather your happy with it's condition ) I'd go for the Accu spark offering on a certain well loved site.£34.95 with free decent red top rotor arm and free click and collect at an Argos store.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AccuSpark-Ele ... Sw4shX5Pct

For the Alternator I'd go for the kit from ESM £72 inc plus postage. 45 amp Alternator.
@ http://www.morrisminorspares.com/electr ... or-p829719
Everything you need "out of the box "...... unless you want to piece the kit together. Classic Mini suppliers are a good source for bits as well.

So change to negative earth ( there is a guide on the Forum ) first.The technical article seems to have disappeared in the new Forum revamp but search " Negative earth conversion " under electrical. Post again if you're stuck.
IMPORTANT. fixing neg earth stuff to a positive earth car will end in tears and items will have to be purchased all over again !!
Then sort the distributor , with the old dynamo out of the way for access. Or , mark the shaft relative to the fixed clamp and take the distributor out completely so you can do it on the bench in comfort.
With the Alternator fixing make sure you have the " line " of the fan belt dead straight with the pulleys . Pack out the bracket / bolts if necessary and put a ruler against the pulley to make sure it is spot on. If out of true ,it will be noisy , put strain on the bearings and if left unattended , will eventually knacker the Alternator.
When tightening the fan belt adjustment remember that it must tighter than you are use to with a dynamo. On the longest run of the belt
you should only be able to " just " twist it 90 degrees.
Double check everything electrically. before firing up.
A personal recommendation only , I've been happy with ESM / Accuspark stuff.
Bob

[ExMODtraveller]

I went for the DYNAMTAOR. So it is an alternator in a dynamo body so gives out 45amps and looks original. Wired the same as an alternator so easy to install. Also electronic ignition kits are on eBay for around £30 really easy to install as well.

[Trickydicky]

To change from positive to negative earth you only need to swap the coil connections, (this HAS to be done because of electronic ignition) otherwise you will fry the module. Turn around the battery in the tray and replace (or swap around) the terminals. Personally I would replace the positive and negative cables to the battery, because the alternator has a higher output and your existing ones may be a few years old. You can buy them off the shelf at Halfords. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1
After turning around the battery make sure the terminals are clear of the retaining bar.

[oliver90owner]

There should be no issue with sizing of battery cables. They are sized for the starter motor wiring which is, by far, the single heaviest current draw encountered.

The wiring from the alternator to the battery is of more importance in this respect.

If the battery terinals are the circular cone type, the terminations willneed to be swapped as positive and negative battery terminals are of different sizes. If bolt-through lugs, there is no problem with changing polarity as long as the leads reach the terminals sensibly.

[GPO_Van]

Thanks all for your help and advice, recommended alternator Kit and electronic ignition purchased, while waiting for delivery have swapped the battery to negative earth.
Kind Regards
Reg

[mogbob]

Reg Neg Earth , first task achieved , well done. On to the next when the courier arrives.
Bob

[GPO_Van]

spacer needed

Dyn_to_Alt006.jpg (145.18 KiB) Viewed 5421 times

Hi all
Alternator part fitted but have hit a mechanical snag, electrics sorted.
The kit arrived with new bracket, adjuster slide, and one bolt that's to short for anything? (no washer or nut)
With everything nipped up I have a 6.3mm gap, (see picture), anyone else have a problem?
I sent an email to the well known company and the reply was:- (copy and pasted)
"Hello
yes we have sold 100s of these with never a problem lining up
your quickest way to solve this is to add a couple of washers just to bring it forward a little
kind regards
Andy"
So any tips please, other than packing with some sort of spacer.
Also fan blade very near alternator nut
Regards
Reg

mechanical bits

IMG_7708.jpg (126.48 KiB) Viewed 5421 times

Fan blade close to alternator nut

IMG_7715.jpg (134.59 KiB) Viewed 5421 times

[Sleeper]

If you tighten the front nut/bolt I think you will find the rear spacer ( built into the alternator) will/should slide into the alternator allowing it to align the pulleys...

John

[oliver90owner]

All altenators should be fitted as per sleeper. You might notice that the pulleys are not lined up until that first bolt is tight.

[mogbob]

Reg
I agree with the others , the " spacer " at the rear of the Alternator / nearest the windscreen needs to be moved from it's current position.
This will allow the whole Alternator to move rearwards. Check that the " gap you have " at the front fixing position is the " gap you need "
to allow the pulleys to line up at the front. Use a ruler ? straight piece of wood to line up and measure.

In it's present format it is clearly wrong. Did the suppliers see your pictures ?
As soon as you "adapt" the fittings , you might invalidate any guarantee / fit for purpose claim you have at the moment. I'd try and speak to the suppliers Technical department ( if they have one ) or a hands on guy or gal.
If you're happy the spacer will slide , then follow sleeper's suggestion , so that it " sits " the other side of the Alternator's rear support casting. Treat it gently , don't break the casting. A drop of WD / oil might help on that spacer.
Bob

[GPO_Van]

Thanks all
The pulleys are lined up with the alternator as it is at the moment, see photo, the nut on the end of the alternator is very close to the fan blade though.
I did send photos to the seller, he made no comment on them.
I will send another message and more photos and let you know what happens,

IMG_7725.jpg (112.54 KiB) Viewed 5397 times

the thing is all 1098cc engines are the same, so how can it fit 100's of others and not mine?

IMG_7716.jpg (111.6 KiB) Viewed 5397 times

[biomed32uk]

It may be the camera but that belt doesn't look square to the alternator pulley.

I would say the alternator is sitting too far forwards.

The wall of the water pump pulley is also thicker than that of the alternator, which also looks like its tending to bring the alternator forwards.

I would hold the straight edge on the water pump pulley as you are, and then adjust the alternator back and forth so the belt runs parallel to the straight edge, if that makes sense. You'll be doing some by eye but its amazing how accurate eyes can be.

[oliver90owner]

It is simple to check alignment. Place a straight edge across the two pulleys. Misalignment , or not, will be obvious. A piece of string stretched across would likely be as easy.

[GPO_Van]

Have taken another photo, and yes "biomed", camera angle and loose hanging belt made it look further forward than it is, but going by eye when the straight edge is good on the pulleys the alternator is to far forward as shown by the belt, thanks.
It does not go an further back though, see rear of alternator, have heaved on the spanners doing the rear nut and bolt up tight.
Regards
Reg,

IMG_7731.JPG (118.28 KiB) Viewed 5390 times

[panky]

The rear bolt is just tightening up on the sleeve. What I did was to gently tap the sleeve into the alternator housing before I bolted it into position. You may find that you will actually need to use a washer or two to pack the alternator forward slightly once the front bolt is hard up against the bracket.

[amgrave]

Just tighten the front bolt and it will pull the alternator rearward, stop when belt is aligned then measure the gap at the front bolt remove and pack with washers to take up the gap. The fan blades are metal and just need to be bent towards the front of the car to provide clearance for the alternator pulley.