Morris Minor Owners Club

Methinks Ashley is confusing the points inside the distributor with the points inside the regulator box.

Well - we all mentioned 'points in the 'Regulator box' - but I do see 'contact breaker' mentioned there - which of course has no relevance to the problem here....

Hi Everyone

Followed your advice and the Battery is measuring 11.88v d/c whilst stationary and whilst being revved. I'm gathering this means that the dynamo is not charging the battery? I have got an alternator kit ready to go on, is there anything else I need to do before I go ahead and do it?

Thanks!

Certainly confirms no charge (and frankly quite a flat battery). Is the car already -ve earth? it MUST BE for an alternator....

I see, its starting and running perfectly every time though so the battery can't be flat! I'll put the alternator on!

Thanks again!

At 11.88 volts it's pretty flat! If you have a charger - give it an overnight charge.

Nothing lasts for ever, but the original dynamo / regulator box is 10 times more reliable than an alternator.
The downside is if you do a lot of stop/start traffic in winter (lights and heater on etc..) you can get a weak battery.
That's easily solved by very occasional use of a battery charger, and if you've got a driveway by the house & an extension lead you can do that without even removing the battery.

Imagine a world cup of charging machines then the alternator would win the final against the dynamo's 2 -0 or 3-1

unless it wasnt playing due to injury.....

Alternators are very reliable - as are dynamos WHEN NEW. But most are now 40/50 years old now..as are the controlling Regulator boxes.. If you have a good working dynamo system, be happy and keep using it. But if/when it packs in - get an alternator. In fact -start looking for one now ! I used to buy them for a Fiver.....not these days sadly...

Sorry to piggyback on this thread but I think my dynamo has failed too - ignition light remaining on. I took dynamo off the car but for love nor money I can't undo the long screws - have tried 3-in-1 oil at both ends. After eventually managing to remove the nut and washers I also can't get the pulley off - I'm assuming that's to do with the shaft key? What else do I need to do to get the pulley off? Also noticed that the fan is spinning loosely on the shaft.

Thanks for any suggestions

Why are you taking the screws out? And why releasing the pulley? Have you tested the dynamo? Join both terminals with a length of cable. Earth the body to the battery negative and then touch the cable to the battery positive. If the dynamo is good it will run as a motor. If not - expose the brushes (usually a cover held with a pinch screw/nut - and have a look - are the worn down or 'stuck' in the holders? Some later dynamos have no cover and I accept then you will have to loosen the screws - give them a sharp TAP to loosen the stuck threads. Leave the pulley alone.....

It is a later dynamo and yes tried sharp taps on the screws. I also tested the dynamo on the car. Reason for taking the pulley off is that if (as looks likely) I need to buy a new dynamo it would be good to keep the pulley and fan - after all I am a sentimental old fool as well as Glaswegian - so don't want to spend more pennies than necessary on new parts

Ok - so you will just need to 'tap' the screws harder! If you need to remove the pulley - try pouring boiling water over it - and then levering carefully as close to the hub as possible.

Just as a way to end my part of the thread, but feel free to piggback, it's what it's here for!

Alternator fitted and running PERFICK, problem solved. I've got a new one now, which I'll start a new thread for!

I hate the initial period after you've bought a car that's been off the road for a bit, EVERYTHING goes wrong!

I hate the initial period after you've bought a car that's been off the road for a bit, EVERYTHING goes wrong!

Don't call it running in or commissioning, call it a "shake-down" period..
rather like you get after a big rebuild, things will happen.

The advantage of the shake-down term, is that when it's like being fleeced by con-men, then the same term applies!