Morris Minor Owners Club

hi.
Has anybody converted a 1275 midget 111 engine from dynamo to alternator.
If so what alternator did you use? and did you have to adapt the mountings.and did you use the same belt, if not what sort.
the car has been converted to negative earth. it also uses full midget instruments.
thanx

ian

It'll be much the same whether it's a 1098 or a 1275. Get the alternator from a scrap Mini and nick the rear bracket and belt at the same time, the front slotted strip from the dynamo would work but if you can get the alternator one too then so much the better as it's curved. Later Midgets had alternators anyway so you could look up what belt they used in Halfords etc.

i thought only the 1500 had the alternator?

If it is the same block then there should be no problem, Doe anybody know?

There is precious little information out there on 1275 conversion save a company in the USA mossmotors.com who do one for $200..
I am looking for a home grown alternative if possible.

You can always buy a complete kit from one of the specialists
http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/adv ... 997d7a5ff9
Just give them a call it should be the same for a 1275 or 1098.

I have always used the earlier Lucas ACR type alternator. Bolts straight on the water pump mounting - just need to make up a little extension mounting to fit to the rear lug on the laternator - I have seen this done with a long bolt and a short piece of tube over the bolt connecting back to the original dynamo mount bracket - but it 's better to make a longer bracket. The adjustable slide mount from the dynamo is fine too. Needs a slightly shorter fan belt - just take the old one to nearest parts store and get a shorter one. My last two alternators each cost £1 - both excellent working order.
You do realise you need to modify the wiring to connect to the alternator ??

yes it cuts out the regulator doesn't it?
the acr alternator.. do you know what model will fit, and what car type it comes from?
would a metro 1275 a+ fit the bill?

Metro alt will be fine i'm sure - the Lucas ACR was the earlier standard alternator fitted to a host of cars. However it comes left and right hand mount - so care needed to get the right one. Obviously from a Metro the alt will go straight on at the water pump - still need to make up the rear mount though - the A+ block has the holes for the rear mount set nearer the water pump!

Metro, Maestro, Triumph (various), Montego... Some may need the pulley swapping over (I have a feeling the S and O series Montego/ Maestro ones might do, the Metro/ Triumph ones don't, IIRC), but all will fit.

The alternators from other cars can be used too, but some need more fiddling than others (I think some Ford ones require the front casing turning 180 degrees).

Aye - the Ford ones tended to be mounted on the 'wrong' side of the engine - it's more than just turning the casing - it needs an opposite hand casing (at least on the ACR type).

all done!
got the ESM unit
thanx for all the info
ian