What was the timing of the introduction of alternators on Australian built Minis and what model alternators were used (I'm assumimg they were all Lucas)? I seem to remember the MK II S I bought new in 1969 had an alternator with a separate control box mounted beside the power brake booster (16ACR?) but I've seen pictures of later S's showing an alternator with an integrated control box. Were these integrated types fitted by the factory or are they later replacement items?
In Pottsy's article on page 36 of the latest TME mag he says alternators came in from about 1971 onwards but I feel it was a bit earlier than that, although my copy of PUB1056M Mini Parts Catalogue that covers the MK II only mentions a generator.

Mk 1.5's onwards had the externally regulated alternators.

Life certainly got better therafter...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

No such thing as a Mk1.5.
The changeover was in mid 1969 right through the range.

And two types 4TR and then the 8TR, both NLA I believe.

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

As I said in another thread today, they are still about...
http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/706

I'm looking at one, in a green Lucas box...

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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.

There's no emoticon for blowing a raspberry at ya!

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

there was one on ebay that sold a week or more ago for $19.90 (4TR)

I was going to buy it but didnt need it so i didnt bother

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=017

So what's the best guess on when the changeover from external to internal regulator type took place? What were the alternator models? The early one would have been ??AC and the later ??ACR according to my research so far.

I believe the changeover happened around start of Clubby production, in late 1971- I've never seen a Clubby with the 15AC alternator and separate 4TR or 8TR regulator as used on Mk2 S, Mini-K and Minimatic.

Clubbys here were mostly 15ACR and 16ACR, then 17ACR (late ones I think) all with internal regulator. More reliable and cheaper to fix...

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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'm always happy to be corrected if I have something wrong. I was sort of guessing on the date of intro anyway. (Not being a Trainspotter I don't have all these kinds of numbers on hand, and being over 50 probably wouldn't remember them anyway!)

That being said, unless you're a real purist, then you can explore the possibilities of using a unit from a small Jap car, or maybe a Bosch unit. All it takes is a bit of adaptation sometimes.

And incidentally, the alternators used on most early Commodores were apparently Lucas and of a higher capacity than the one's that came on Minis. With a bit of care you can use the Mini housings so that it'll mount easily, and the Commodore insides so you have more output current available.

Is there no end to the ingenuity of Mini people?

Cheers, Pottsy

PS, I'd go for one with an internal regulator every time. It's just so much easier to deal with!

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Smile Up at The Trucks!

During the late 60s and early 70s Holden used a lot of both Lucas and Bosch stuff. You could have a car that was all Lucas or all Bosch. I had a Torana that had Lucas alternator, Lucas starter, Lucas distributor and Lucas Coil. Most were all Bosch. I think it was a case of supply. Neither manufacturer had the capacity to supply all of Holdens needs so they shared.

Thanks Pottsy, I was hoping you were a member and would read this thread.
In my case I start out being a 'purist' in my restoration and only change things if there's a reason (e.g. original component unreliable or no longer available or lack of parts). Hence wanting to know what alternators were fitted to what cars coming out of the factory. We seem to be narrowing it down. Thanks for your contribution.

my clubman gt has a 15AC alternator and no external regulator, but other earlier Gt's do

I've got a Clubman alternator to work on today...you should try finding an auto spark who will sell you the regulator itself in this area (it needs a 14TR reg.)...sheesh..

They all want to sell you a complete alternator at a marked up price...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I got an 8TR from Mini King