V8 alternator "left" or "right"?

[adam quantrill]

This isn't a trick question! I'm thinking of buying a new alternator (and keeping the old one as a spare).

I know my alternator (like most unless you have aircon) is on the right hand side of the engine - at the top.

Alternators come in "left" or "right" varieties depending on which side the extra lug is for the tensioning bracket - so do I buy a "left" side one? From the diagrams I have seen that looks the best fit. (And yes I know on a lot of them you can convert over, but may as well buy the correct side to start with!)

[Sireatalot]

Hi Adam.

Just had the alternator replaced on mine, I think a left handed style was used to replace.

The old one that we took off had part numbers on so we thought easy enough to find and replace - after googleing the part number came in both variants so double check before buying..

I can post up pictures later on of my new one with part No.s if you want to cross reference them..

Thanks.
Dom

[ElvisWedgely]

adam quantrill said:

This isn't a trick question! I'm thinking of buying a new alternator (and keeping the old one as a spare).

I know my alternator (like most unless you have aircon) is on the right hand side of the engine - at the top.

Alternators come in "left" or "right" varieties depending on which side the extra lug is for the tensioning bracket - so do I buy a "left" side one? From the diagrams I have seen that looks the best fit. (And yes I know on a lot of them you can convert over, but may as well buy the correct side to start with!)

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you want to convert the alternator from right to left because it looks neater under the bonnet? Or are you not sure which to buy to fit the right side on yours?

I used to own a car spares shop years ago, and when a customer brought in an alternator we would lay it flat on the counter and view it from the front. If the double pivot brackets are on the right, then it's the right side, if the double pivot brackets are on the left, then it's a left side. Simples.

Tony.TCB

[KKson]

Sorry Adam but slightly confused by the question? My alternator sits just close to the remote oil filter, i.e. left of the engine if I'm looking at it from the front. Looks the same as this....

[adam quantrill]

Yeah but which side is it when you look at it from underneath??? ;^)

[B@man]

I've just bought a new one off the bay, I will have a dig about in my purchase history, from memory it's a left hander. I could not figure out what the LEFT or RIGHT refers to but the seller was really helpful !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-ALTERNATOR-12V-VOLT-75-AMPS-LRA517-LRA00517-LANDROVER-DEFENDER-DISCO-2-5TD-/221214811186?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item33816e2432

[ElvisWedgely]

adam quantrill said:

Yeah but which side is it when you look at it from underneath??? ;^)

Mmmm. You have to use your imagination. Front view of alternator. If the double bracket of alternator is on the left, it's a left. If double bracket is to the right, it's a right. Same applies from top, or rear view as long as the assumption is from the front. I hope that makes sense. If if doesn't, it will after a couple of cans!

Tony. TCB.

[Wedg1e]

I dress to the left and that's the same whether viewed from above or underneath

[phillpot]

One picture = 1000 words ........................ but don't know which one you need

[wooly350i]

Wedg1e said:

I dress to the left and that's the same whether viewed from above or underneath

Suppose you special bracketing then!

[ElvisWedgely]

phillpot said:

One picture = 1000 words ........................ but don't know which one you need

The picture confirms my theory that if you view the alternator from the front resting on a flat surface, if the double side bracket is on the right, it's a right hand, and if the double sided bracket is on the left, it's a left side.

Tony.TCB.

[B@man]

Every day is school day, I knew it was something to do with the double bracket but was struggling to find a definitive answer, so that's why the same alternator fits the RV8 and the ford pinto even thought it's on different sides, its effectively upside down on the RV8

[adam quantrill]

Great - so we are in agreement then - I want a "Left" alternator (and it goes on the right hand side - engine sides are always from the perspective of the driver facing forwards sitting in the driving seat.)

Phew!

Thanks for the ebay link - that's a few quid cheaper than the one I was looking at - and 75A instead of 70A - I assume it fitted OK?

[RCK974X]

On several of the Lucas styles of alternator, you can SWOP IT OVER. Just undo the three long bolts, and rotate the front housing 120 degrees, and put the bolts back.

This is definitely true for the ACR styles, as I saw it done in a recon shop. I took one in for an exchange, and the guy didn't have one the right way round, and switched it over whilst I watched...

Looking at other makes, it seems like some will, some won't....

[Wedg1e]

wooly350i said:

Suppose you special bracketing then!

Yeah, I have to have the reinforced, extra-support version

[adam quantrill]

adam quantrill said:

(And yes I know on a lot of them you can convert over, but may as well buy the correct side to start with!)

[RCK974X]

OOps - I missed that little comment !! Ah well, it's more obvious now....

[B@man]

adam quantrill said:

Great - so we are in agreement then - I want a "Left" alternator (and it goes on the right hand side - engine sides are always from the perspective of the driver facing forwards sitting in the driving seat.)

Phew!

Thanks for the ebay link - that's a few quid cheaper than the one I was looking at - and 75A instead of 70A - I assume it fitted OK?

It's not fitted yet due to the other woes but it's identical to the one I took off I only replaced it give a few more amps for the Electric Pas pump, Nice guy to deal with too !

[phillpot]

RCK974X said:

On several of the Lucas styles of alternator, you can SWOP IT OVER. ..

You can, as already noted, but the hole for the adjuster should be threaded,if you "cheat" this has to be drilled out and a nut 'n bolt used for the adjuster. Not the "end of the World" but adjusting the belt can be easier if one hand is free to pull the alternator to tension the belt and other to tighten pinch bolt rather than two hands to required to hold nut and tighten bolt.


It is quite easy to strip that thread so many "budget" recons probably never get a new end housing, the remains of any thread just being drilled out?