Who has done an alternator rebuild themselves?

Any gotcha's to be aware of?

I have a mate who is an auto leccy, and I asked him to rebuilt my GT resto alternator. He said it was piss-easy and I can do it myself for very little $$.

He suggested brushes, bearings, and skimming the armature (need lathe for that.... hello Kev )

Where would I get bearings and brushes from?

I have done them, how easy depends which it is.
the ones with a black end cover have the slip ring on the end, has to be unsoldered to get the bearing off.
The narrow ones have bearing on the end instead, slip rings behind but tricky to assemble the brushgear when fitting back together.

alternators have slip rings, not an armature...

I got brushes from an autoelectrician....

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Dead easy - just watch how it comes apart - second one I did I drew a diagram to show what wires went where - made it a lot quicker putting it back together without having to nut out the wires

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I have this type:

Brushes go in the end, real easy to get brush holder off. Rear bearing not so easy....
If you are doing it I'd buy 2 bearings, a slip ring assy, and a set of brushes.
It's a PITA having to unsolder the slip ring and remove (it's plastic) so you can get the bearing off. You may well break it.

There's nothing to machine on these alternators, the slip rings are copper/brass strip in plastic.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have done about half a dozen. Far easier if the diode pack is external to the alternator. The bearing etc - easy. If you need it wound you can do it yourself if you are careful and know which way to wind it.

If need a hand drop me a line

hmmm....

might leave the bearings ey?

can you lube alternator bearings?

I don;t even think they need doing.... but since everything else is getting the treatment...

They are a sealed bearing and the 1st thing to go in a Lucas alternator.
Replace both the suckers if you're pulling it apart, it's not that hard for an ex- Qantas mechanic/engineer...

You can replace brushes though without splitting the alt apart. Easy as.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

On the subject of these particular alternator's is it worth re-building them or changing to the internally regulated type, i'm having charge problems at the moment and i have two of these type and wondering whether they are worth re-building (one as a spare ). Am i correct in saying that these type are 35-amp as standard?

Nope- a 15AC is only 28A, so unless it's an S or a Clubby GT I would go for a later Clubby internally regulated one.
The external regs on these old 15ACs are rocking horse now, and were not the most reliable.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

The bearings cop a hiding, particularly the front one if you think about the side load from the fan belt. Just removing the bearing from the housing only to reassemble it again takes a fraction off of the remaining lifespan.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.