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Re: Alternator Question

To: Tom Wagner - Program Manager <tom.w.wagner@Central.Sun.COM>
Subject: Re: Alternator Question
From: Robert Allen <boballen@sky.net>
Date: Thu, 07 Nov 1996 08:14:43 +0000
Since none of the experts are up yet, I'll take a shot....

Tom Wagner - Program Manager wrote:
> 
> Is there a way to test the alternator
> on my 67 B, to be sure that there is something
> coming out of it to recharge the battery.

Well, a big, thick, wire would be your first clue.

> Is it still true to disconnect the battery as
> a test???

That would be an excellent method to assure you need
a new one.

> 
> Thanks to all.

You get what you pay for...

> 67 MGB

Step 1: Get any old voltmeter that will read at least 15 volts.

Step 2: Start your car and turn on headlights

Step 3: Read voltage across battery. If it is over 13 volts,
        you don't have a charging problem, you have an
        alternator.

Step 4: Have someone rev the motor to 3,000 RPM. Read voltage
        across battery. If it is over 13 volts, you don't have
        a charging problem, you have a Lucas generator.

Step 5: If your still here, you'd better hope someone
        smarter than me reads your post. At this point, if
        all the wiring looks okay, I send the alternator out
        to the rebuild shop. If it's a gerneator I replace the
        brushes. If it's the voltage regulator for the generator
        then I get confused easily and read the service manual
        very carefully.

BTW: '67 B's had generators, not alternators.
If you have a generator and you ain't been in it
lately, you can be pretty sure you need new brushes.
I like to replace them just about as often as points.
It ain't hard: take it out of the car, remove the 
back plate, install new carbon sticks (brushes),
smooth out the commutator (the round thing with
copper on the end) with a pencil eraser, and put
it back in.

Bob Allen, Kansas City, '69MG/CGT

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