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[lfew1]

I have a 1966 TR4A (negative ground) and am interested in members' experience with alternator conversions, specifically what sort of alternator was used, whether a thin belt conversion was done, whether a kit was used, and if so, from which vendor.  According to Piggott, a Lucas 11 AC was sometimes installed as a special order in TR4As (police cars mostly) using the original wide belt.  I would prefer to use a later, internally regulated alternator.

Thanks!

LF White

[charley fitch]

I have been advised by a mechanic friend who has a TR4, to use a GM internal regulated alternator.  These are the common ones found on most Chevy's as of a few years ago.  This is what he used on his car.  He was able to use the wide belt, which is the same conversion that I have on my TR4.  If you use an alternator that is over 60 amp you may wish to consider switching to a volt meter.  Your amp meter only goes to 40 amps.  Locally we have a small shop that rebuilds alternators and electrical components.  The owner has been an immense help in working with us on getting what we need to fit in the cars.  I suspect that you may have a similar shop near you.  Depending on the particular alternator that you use you may need to do some fitting on the car.  Most of this is rather simple stuff.
Charley Fitch  

[lfew1]

Thanks, Charley.  As always, good, on-point advice.  As I don't plan to add any heavy drain electricals (maybe some driving lights), I will go with a smaller output alternator (45 amps will be ample).  The generator just doesn't have the output (22 amps I think) to charge the battery at idle, especially with headlights on.  I am trying to keep the car correct as possible in outward appearance so am keen to keep the ammeter.  I have made many other improvements for performance and safety however, most of which require getting under the car to see.

LF White

[Mark Richlen]

Go the VTR homepage and look at the maintenance manual in the Resources tab, it contains all the info you will need.  I converted my 63 TR4 several years ago using the info.  The only problem I had was with the crap quality of the "rebuilt" alternators available at the parts houses.  I would advise having one rebuilt by a local shop you trust.  After the second failure that is what I did.

[tr4nut]

I converted my 64 TR4 about a year ago and have been extremely happy with the change.  Similar situation in that the generator just wasn't keeping the battery charged very well.

I used the common GM alternator (7127?), but put on a wide pulley and kept the thick belt.  Other than a little fiddling with the mounts to make sure there was no vibration it has been a good, and reversible update.  The VTR guide was used throughout the process and was on target.  I sourced a few of the mounting bits from McMasterCarr and didn't need to modify any of the TR4 parts.  The 7127 case did need to be cut a little to get pulley alignment but it was a straight forward operation.

Randy

[lfew1]

Thanks, everybody!  I will put this project on the spring schedule.

LFW