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MG TD TF 1500 - The Alternator Fits

After all the trauma of four failed "dynamo lookalike" alternators I have decided not to bother with disguises and simply fit a modern, and hopefully reliable, one. I have attached a photo showing an alternator from a Renault Clio fitted to my TF. It is quite small and gives me plenty of room and belt adjustment. Despite its size it is still rated at 75 amps. I have uprated wiring from the unit to the battery but thought I would have problems with the ammeter. The alternator is self modulating and if I switch everything electrical on with the engine off (halogen lamps, electric fan, KL heater) I see almost a maximum discharge. Start the engine and the needle immediately shows a slight charge which quickly goes to almost zero. I have tried discharging the battery and the meter shows about 10 amps charge when the engine is started. I have junked the internals of the dynamo regulator and fitted extra fuses under the cover. Best thing was the alternator only cost me £20 from a breakers yard.

Jan T

J Targosz

How did you rig the tach drive?

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Hi Jim,

The rear of the alternator was originally supported by a ball race. I replaced this with a needle roller bearing with an inner hardened sleeve. These cost about £5. The ID of the original bearing was 10 m/m and that of the roller sleeve 17 m/m. I made up an extension shaft of about 20 m/m OD with a bore of just under 10 m/m and shrunk this onto the end of the rotor shaft. I was then able to turn the extension down to 17 m/m to fit into the needle sleeve. I fitted a screwed bush into the rear of the alternator casing to take the tacho gear box. This was formerly the speedo drive in a scrap gear box. I did all the turning with my Myford lathe.

Jan T
J Targosz

Very smart.

a nice mod and a more detailed list of parts would be of use?
mog

Agreed! Would like to see pictures and parts and measurements...
Geoffrey M Baker

J. Not bad at all. How many of these can you make and what would your price be? Perhaps a winter/spring activity to help pay for your habbit... er, hobby?

I'm planning on fitting a gps, 100 watt stereo, back-up camera, power convertible top and power windows, power seats, A/C... so..... I'll be needing 3.
MAndrus

it's .....FRONT END FRIDAY!!!!

......
MAndrus

I find making one a pleasure, any extra a chore and this even applies to right and left handed components. If anyone is interested in doing a conversion send me a personal email and I can provide further details. You will need access to a small centre lathe though. Now that the restoration of the TF is nearly finished my interest is turning to another project. See the attached picture. I don't think Moss will have many parts on their shelves.

Jan T

J Targosz

Jan, what's your email?
Geoffrey M Baker

Jan.... sweet. What is that, where do you live and when will you be on vacation?
MAndrus

MAndrus - it's a Lagonda

Geoffrey - I've sent you an email


Jan
J Targosz

Working on a friends Rapier many years ago made me long for a little OHC car of my own, Got a P type - its still in bits and keeps getting pushed back - just found that the OH's frog has eaten its pistons, so who knows when this year.

the Lagonda club is very good, though parts need double checking as my friend keeps telling me, any more pics of yours?
mog

MOG Cattery - does the photo bring back memories

Jan

J Targosz

Jan, I'm sure that you already know all this about Lagondas but for us unitiates this is interesting reading. Jud
http://www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/by-make/lagonda.html

http://www.thoroughbred-cars.com/cars/UK/lagonda/history.htm
J K Chapin

Jan,

indeed, was a good summer - we did lots on his car, a visit to Tom Dark is memorable, he had a barn full of pre war & T types, I sent pics to Harry & on the old Octagon site when I ran it, now Tom has a lot of work with Bugatti I think, we took a ENV that had been reworked from a Riley so needed a bit of fiddling and he ran a bush up in 20 minutes and just popped it in to work, a different world!.

Your car will be more fun I think, his has a rather heavy body for a small unsupercharged engine (- Abbot FHC ), I think the club has its agm about 8 miles away ( I lose track - he also had a m45 bodied 3 ltr gangster car until recently so it could have been the other club )

What are your plans for the car, looks to have stood a long time.
If you get down here sometime be good to see.
mog

Hi Jan

Nice practical mode on the alternator. I am a ways away from electricals but interested in building this one into my plans. Could I get a copy of your material list and photos chrisatmiplacedotcom.

thanks
Chris.
Chris Cullin

Hi Chris,

I know I should have taken photos but didn't so I have drawn some rough sketches which may point you in the correct direction. I have been back to the scrapyard and the small 75A alternator is fitted to lots of other small cars including a Honda Jazz, a Fiat and a Hyundai. If you buy an alternator send me an email and I will tell you how to fit it back together after dismantling. It is like a Chinese puzzle, two minutes if you know how, impossible if you don't.

Jan

J Targosz

Looking at the number of cooling apertures on this neat little alternator, it's not surprising that fitting one into an original dynamo case tends not to work.

David
D A Provan

Jan:
Would you be so good as to send me an info package for my 54 TF project?
Rod-murray@hotmail.com
Best regards
Rod ( Expat from Luton Beds who served an apprenticeship at A Rootes Group Commer Carrier location)
Rodney G Murray

Hi Rod,

Not certain what you mean by an info package


Cheers

Jan
J Targosz

Hi Jan
If you would please send me you freehand drawings and the "Chinese " puzzle instructions on the alterator rebuild.
Best regards Rod
Rodney G Murray

This thread was discussed between 18/02/2015 and 02/03/2015

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