greg Posted October 5, 2001 Share Posted October 5, 2001 Dear All, My car (1990 live axle Xflow) has fried yet another alternator - its now at an auto-electricians whom wish to replace the present alternator with a Lucas 127 - is this a good choice, or should I replace the one thats there, or alternatively what are the cambridge motorsport ones like ? Any sugestions on what to do greatfully recieved ! Thanks Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted October 5, 2001 Share Posted October 5, 2001 If you're considering the Cambridge Motorsport alternator, consider this. It looks identical to the Daihatsu Charade 1L alternator. I have two, one on a Vx 2.0L and one on a N/A Cossie. Both have proved reliable, and were reasonably simple to fit. Get one from a scrappy for a tenner, and re-con it/swap it at your local factors. All up it should be a good deal cheaper than what CM wantthumbsup.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Turner Posted October 5, 2001 Share Posted October 5, 2001 Had this happen to me many times on my first car but when I built the current car I incorporated 3 simple mods. Fitted a larger front pulley to slow the thing down (spent ages at the local factors finding one that would fit, no idea of the part number), used a lucas type alternator off a MK 3 Escort (shorter and fatter) instead of the ACR type plus I fitted a fan overide switch on the dash. I switch this on whenever the car is stationary for more than a couple of minutes, it blows "cooler" air across the alternator and headers and it keeps the engine temp down as well. The alternator has been on for 8 years without a problem, 8400rpm + lots of waiting around at hillclimbs and sprints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted October 5, 2001 Author Share Posted October 5, 2001 Blatman, Sounds like a cunning plan, that Daihatsu Charade idea - thanks. So far I've been quote arround 100 quid for one, nearly the price of the Cam Motorsport ones ! Paul, fan overide seems like a good idea, as I've been stuck in two jams this summer (Goodwood both times) where the temp got high got quite a long time. Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted October 5, 2001 Share Posted October 5, 2001 Greg My local alternator/starter/dynamo specialists rebiuld mine in a couple of hours for 60 quid, so I would have thought you could get one done for that (I'm in London, so I expect I'm not getting the cheapest deal.....) once you have sourced one...... Although it would seem that Cambridge *may* have reduced their prices, 'cos I got quoted a lot more at a motorshow a couple of years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted October 5, 2001 Author Share Posted October 5, 2001 119.50 off their website. A Charade one is 100 quid. Hum .... Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted October 5, 2001 Share Posted October 5, 2001 Greg When I had a X/Flow, I too had an alternator fry and found that a lot of the problem was heat absorption from the exhaust primaries right alongside especially, as you say, when sitting in traffic for any length of time. A very simple cure for this was to obtain a heatproof soldering mat from the local B & Q for about a fiver and wrap this around the nearest primaries, held on with wire. You could still put your hand on the alternator even after a fast blat! Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashaughnessy Posted October 5, 2001 Share Posted October 5, 2001 I would second Brent's advice, though in a different way. I had three alternators fail in quick succession, until I heard that they fail due to the heat from the exhaust. So instead of buying another cheap alternator I bought the expensive one from Caterham. This has an alloy shield around the electronic bits (the rectifier pack???) instead of a black plastic one like the cheap alternators had. This is supposed to be better at keeping the heat off. I've now had this alternator for between 6 to 8 years and it's still OK. So keeping the heat off seems to be the cure. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted October 17, 2001 Author Share Posted October 17, 2001 Contacted caterham, and they do not appear to do the alloy covered over the lecy bits alternator anymore. I'm still looking for a solution! Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted October 17, 2001 Share Posted October 17, 2001 Why not try shielding the alternator from the exhaust primaries with a heat proof mat as suggested earlier. It worked for me. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted October 17, 2001 Author Share Posted October 17, 2001 I am considering a heat shield, but probably a sheet of ally (rounded to fit arround the alt, with a large air), with a lug hole welded on. Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted October 17, 2001 Share Posted October 17, 2001 I had an alt fry on my xflow, due to heat. I got a replacement one from Halfords and covered it with Heat wrap from Demon T. That was over a year ago, and all is still well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted October 17, 2001 Share Posted October 17, 2001 You see, if you had a plastic thingie with large gaps at the front around the suspension to let water, grass, mud, grit, snow, cow pats, and air in around the exhaust and the alternator, you'd have no problems. My Lucas alternator, liberated off an Esvort 12 yrs ago is still going strong after lots of slow, hot trials, fast hot sprints and loads of road abuse. No help, I know but bored. . . Bri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted October 17, 2001 Share Posted October 17, 2001 Bricol - I had one of those for two years .........four alternators! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted October 17, 2001 Share Posted October 17, 2001 Greg, If you have a Bosch alt. The Ford Sierra Cosworth had a heat cover at the back of the alt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg Posted October 19, 2001 Author Share Posted October 19, 2001 Ok, here's a mupet question for you all: Will a dihatsu Charade Alternator (that apparently fits a Vx - can someone confirm ?) Fit an Xflow ? Also are poly V wheels avaliable for them (Does anyone know the spindle size) ? Seems I've got a poly V kit, a naff alternator and well lacking in the clue department! Thanks Greg, Q 880 RAE (Green/Ali XF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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