RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

Anyone got any recommendations for a quality Alternator. I've just done my 4th (maybe 5th) one in 6 yrs. This one has lasted about 2 1/2 Yrs but is making internal clunking noises and my water pump is trying to spark.

My bet is I'll be lucky to get to this weekend before it goes bang Lord Lucas waves his magic wand of darkness.

Also wanting the next alternator to be smaller so I can squeeze in the Air Con compressor without fouling anything (yes the A/c is probably going to sit on the drivers side).

Ideas welcome.............

QUOTE\=
Lord Lucas waves his magic wand of darkness.

Yu just gotta love those "pommy" LUCAS electrical engineers
and i use those words very loosely

If my dodgy memory serves me correctly, a common swap is XF falcon. Mods are minor, if any. Bosch of course.

been using a 65A hitachi one from a daihatsu for a few years, small "squirrelcage" design, and don't mind being revved. will try and get a part number tonight, cheers ted

This thread is getting old, but heck, I just read it for the first time...

Second that to the Bosch Alternator as already mentioned - best thing I ever did was to throw the original Lucas unit in the bin and replaced it with the Bosch - and that was five years ago, hassle free electrics since then. Bolts up to the original Mk2 Escort mounts and tensioner bracket, so no modifications required.

Good news is that there is a newer version of the Bosch available with 65A output that replaces the 55A version, sorry, don't have a part number for it as yet, but it will also be listed in the universal section of their catalogue, same as the 55A was, as it is designed to fit a whole range of pommy cars.

I am planning on using the 65A version when the new engine goes in later this year.

Cheers

The old hands might correct me here but i thought the escorts were all OEM with high amp alternators to run the SuperOscar spotlights in rallying(back in the day)

Tha factory alternator was almost up to running the dash illuminations, so long as the prince of darkness hadn't smitten it that particular instant.

For alternator size add up all the loads that are on long term and at the same time. That means short term items like brake lights and indicators can be skipped.

Hey all...
is there is such a thing as using an alternator with too much ampage?
is a 100/120 amp alternator for 2lt. mk 2 ok?
(electricals always do my head in...)

an alternator will only ever produce as much current as being asked of it (and therefore engine drag) so oversizing the alternator is not really an issue. I guess there is some additional weight penalty from a larger one due to extra copper but that would surely be minimal.

Ta mate