DrKai Posted March 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2020 Thank you. Although I have no skills really, just watched too many YouTube videos and trial and error. Yesterday I got one of the outriggers replaced. And finished another corner, one left! Also received a tiny new alternator. 60a denso from a kuboto with a marginally larger pulley wheel which should be good for the higher revs. It is much smaller and lighter not sure why we put up with the Lucas units really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 16, 2020 Report Share Posted March 16, 2020 2 hours ago, DrKai said: 60a denso from a kuboto with a marginally larger pulley wheel which should be good for the higher revs. It is much smaller and lighter not sure why we put up with the Lucas units really. Ah... now you're at the top of the slippery slope. Why do we put up with such inefficient engines? Only four gears? Crude suspension? Uncomfortable seats? Why do some owners even keep dynamos? Is that alternator a straight fit, and how does it compare re price? Just curious, not looking over the edge of the slippery slope just yet... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted March 16, 2020 Report Share Posted March 16, 2020 Colin, the big issue with the "Lucas" alternators is that the rebuilds have been rubbish for at least 12 years, even the ones in a Lucas box. I had one fail in 300 miles. And as to teh "brand new" Lucas units, they are bargepole quality. Was it here or elsewhere somebody bought one, and it was so bad it caused massive vibration, that took some finding. Likewise, a friend fitted a brand new one because it was clean and shiny, but never did satisfactorily charge the battery. The Denso are a proper OEM unit, fitted to millions of cars. These are for diggers that only need 40, or in this case 60 amps. More than enough for our cars. I have the 40A versions fitted to my Triumphs. A few minor tweeks to fit them, nothing too serious. Different belt to suit. Costs? well, a lot more than the junk cheap lucas units. But keep an eye out, I got mine for a mere £40 each, but usually £80 on ebay. More from physical shops. The sting in the tail is that there are cheap copies of these denso units out there. Saying that, a genuine OEM alternator, be it bosch, mitsubushi, denso etc will be a quality item. Think about how long they last on cars thesedays, the only one to be replaced was on my Dads C-max at about 12 years/80k. And I suspect that was because he left the lights on, and got a jump start on an ancient battery. That may well have zapped the alternator I reckon, a new battery was followed by a new alternator. The biggest issue is that all alternators seem to be supplied with a multi V pulley, and getting a single old fashioned type that fits can be a struggle. The digger alternators luckily have a suitable pulley already fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 16, 2020 Report Share Posted March 16, 2020 6 minutes ago, clive said: Colin, the big issue with the "Lucas" alternators is that the rebuilds have been rubbish for at least 12 years, even the ones in a Lucas box. I had one fail in 300 miles. Costs? well, a lot more than the junk cheap lucas units. But keep an eye out, I got mine for a mere £40 each, but usually £80 on ebay. Modern repro Lucas?? Pah. Mine are all ex-Triumph models, last few I bought were £1 each... second hand of course but they all seem to last ages; I'm still on the one I used to convert the GT6 back in 2001 and it's going as strongly as ever. I'm curious as I could well give a modern version a try on the next Herald rebuild, but don't want too much faffing about adding brackets etc. I've got a lovely Delco one that I may use instead, but it's NOS and a shame to dirty it when there may be an alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted March 16, 2020 Report Share Posted March 16, 2020 Wish I had a picture of one fitted to a 1500 engine. From memory a spacer or stack of washers to get it in the correct position, and possibly a remade adjusting arm. Can't quite remember! When the originals Lucas do die, you will find the repair parts are very cheap. But guess what... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted March 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2020 Colin I think Clive has said everything I would have on the matter. I agree entirely on your point of originality, after all I'm putting all this effort in and still keeping the 6 cylinder not a duratec or the like for a reason. But I think this falls in to one of the reasonably priced, easily done reliability upgrades that just makes sense. My reasons for the change were weight and reliability of voltage output as I plan on a lithium battery and I'd like to avoid setting fire to myself. Unsure on fitting just yet but will either make a rod ended bracket for adjustment. Or use a belt tensioner off another vehicle. Likely the former as is an easier neater solution 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Works Spitfires Posted March 17, 2020 Report Share Posted March 17, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said: Modern repro Lucas?? Pah. Mine are all ex-Triumph models, last few I bought were £1 each... second hand of course but they all seem to last ages; I'm still on the one I used to convert the GT6 back in 2001 and it's going as strongly as ever. I'm curious as I could well give a modern version a try on the next Herald rebuild, but don't want too much faffing about adding brackets etc. I've got a lovely Delco one that I may use instead, but it's NOS and a shame to dirty it when there may be an alternative. Triumph only used the Delco one in production when Lucas were on strike to keep the production lines going. I used to see a lot of them on 71/72 2.5PI saloons. Not as long lasting as the Lucas units, and quite rare now. Edited March 17, 2020 by Works Spitfires Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlubikey Posted March 17, 2020 Report Share Posted March 17, 2020 My "new" Lucas alternator - a 60A jobbie bought from a well known and highly respected vendor - failed after 18 months or so. It sounded like dry bearings but when it stopped charging I knew it was electrics. My local place, Burghfield Starter & Alternator diagnosed the fault and replaced the diode pack. He showed me the old one and how the central pillar hadn't been tightened correctly, allowing the diode legs to move and vibrate leading to failure. I think alternators are like brake cylinders - the new pattern parts are often rubbish and if you can't get an original (even second-hand) then you'll be sending the new part to be reconditioned before very long. At least then you know it's been seen by a professional here in the UK! Cheers, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Works Spitfires Posted March 17, 2020 Report Share Posted March 17, 2020 Most of the reconditioners locally have either retired, or in the process of retiring as they can't compete with cheap imports. The chap that has rebuilt all our starters, dynamos, alternators for the past 30 odd years threw in the towel just before Christmas, and his mate in the trade that used to run a multi million pound outfit nearer Birmingham is on the point of closing up. The other problem was that most of the Lucas stuff had been through the mill more than once, and was getting very difficult to rebuild economicaly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 17, 2020 Report Share Posted March 17, 2020 4 hours ago, Works Spitfires said: Triumph only used the Delco one in production when Lucas were on strike to keep the production lines going. I used to see a lot of them on 71/72 2.5PI saloons. Not as long lasting as the Lucas units, and quite rare now. I was saving it for the 1200 convertible as a conversation piece... so might fit it, if I ever get that far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky_Spit Posted March 17, 2020 Report Share Posted March 17, 2020 If you are looking at getting a small Denso one as pictured a few posts above, then try agricultural dealers/suppliers when they have a sale on. Mine is a 60A unit for a Kubota mini-digger and cost me about £20 in a local tractor dealer's spring sale. It was a few years ago now but would still be considerably cheaper than the usual sources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted March 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2020 Both sides done and chassis ready for paint. Not sure how much I'll get done in the coming months given goings on but we'll see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted April 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2020 Painted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 7, 2020 Report Share Posted April 7, 2020 Looking very good! What paint did you use in the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted April 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2020 Por15. I know there are some horror stories. But it was blasted and prepped well and seems to have stuck well to everything else and is certainly tough for now- I was hitting test pieces with a hammer. It won't be that shiny I still have the flat black top coat to put on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted April 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2020 Just got the sketches back. I'm aware this will not be to the taste of a number of you but for anyone that doesn't feel immediately I'll on looking which is your favourite front spoiler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted April 9, 2020 Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 Ooooooooooooooh, Kai! Please stop posting automotive porn! No, carry on, looks gorgeous! Some of those spoiler/airdam designs project a long way. Mine on Old Blue did not project further than the original bumper - I was constrained by silouette regs - and that much would scrape on road humps, and would hit a kerb when parking face-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted April 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 Yeah some of them are impractical and ugly, but I think number 4 is tasteful and reasonable. If it comes out looking like that I think I'll be very happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 9, 2020 Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 Not sure about the squarish centre "detail" in No4. Some look a bit 1980's halfords (3+6) But I prefer (and it is me, your car your choice) simple clean lines without unnecessary detail. Have you lookes at Marcus (GT6M) car? he has disappeared off the forums, but here is just one pic of his car (highly developed, some great ideas) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted April 9, 2020 Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 For me: 3 looks too big and bulky for a petite car like a GT6. 4 is a bit angular for a curvery Mk1/2 GT6, though might work on a more angular Mk3. 1 looks good, having more of a flow to it, like the car body. Think it might need something in the middle section though to stop it looking like a wide mouthed Bass. 6 also looks good and, provided the lines flow like the rest of the body rather then being too sharp. Looks like you have a central 'pillar' in this one too, so no fish look. 5 slack-jawed window licker in the middle, but the corner lines flow really nicely. Or is it just the sketch making it look like a really big, really deep 'mouth'? 2 nice...on a Mk3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted April 9, 2020 Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 And if you want to take advantage of your front spoiler, you need to modify the sills into skirts as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted April 9, 2020 Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 The only one that looks "in keeping" to me is #2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted April 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 John- yes in my brief to the designer the bottom lip was not to project further than the original front lip. I think it's the perspective of some of the drawings but I definitely wouldn't have it projecting out. The more I look at it yes I think it needs some side skirting will help conceal the lowered section of the floorpan then also. It is indeed a MK3 so I the idea is to try to square up the very rounded lemans front end. Think 240z kind of look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKai Posted April 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 Clive- yes do like the car shown. The front was some inspiration in fact but difficult to have something quite so simple given I was basing it on the lemans front end. Going back to the original is always an option but wanted to see if I could make this work on a MK3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted April 9, 2020 Report Share Posted April 9, 2020 The pic was about the simple, clean lines. I am not sure how big an air intake is required for the radiator, but soebody who was obsessive about aero was "davesideways" and he had a tiny opening, which was enough to cool a 120-130bhp spitfire with ease. If you can find any of his ideas, they may help?? He was big on lightness too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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