Classic V8 alternator

[Noogly]

Hi,

My alternator seems to be giving up gradually. Its a 1980 V8, but the parts book lists just one alternator CAV AC5A 12/D821 (75 amp), there dos not appear to be any alternative for model variants, years or regions. Long shot, but does anyone know if that is still the best option or is there a straight swap with a better or more modern unit?

Cheers,

Andy

[cletracboy]

Have a look at Wosp aston works supply them, so should be OK. Just put one on my v550 but too soon to comment on reliability. I got mine from an auto electrics supplier who were quite a bit less than the aston specialists offering me the same alternator, not at home so can't look up firm.

[ClassicV8]

Noogly said:

Hi,

My alternator seems to be giving up gradually. Its a 1980 V8, but the parts book lists just one alternator CAV AC5A 12/D821 (75 amp), there dos not appear to be any alternative for model variants, years or regions. Long shot, but does anyone know if that is still the best option or is there a straight swap with a better or more modern unit?

Cheers,

Andy

Why not just get your original alternator overhauled. Any reputable auto electrician should be able to carry out the necessary repairs. You would need to supply the regulator as well which on mine is on the drivers side inner wing.

Graham

[Noogly]

cletracboy said:

Have a look at Wosp aston works supply them, so should be OK. Just put one on my v550 but too soon to comment on reliability. I got mine from an auto electrics supplier who were quite a bit less than the aston specialists offering me the same alternator, not at home so can't look up firm.

This place?
http://www.wosperformance.co.uk/alternators/altern...

Looks interesting, thanks.

[cletracboy]

I chose not to have my alternator repaired because the man I would trust to rebuild it has retired and sold his equipment. I spoke to him and he said it was getting harder to get spares, people didn't want to wait and the economics of repairing vs new was not always worthwhile. The other firm local to me we have used several times are very cheap but the repairs don't last. There will be good repairers out there using quality parts but I didn't know where to find them.

Wosp will not sell direct, a lot of Aston specialists are listed as distributors on there website. I used auto electrical supplies from Tenbury Wells, first time I've used them but they were very helpful and competitively priced.

[Noogly]

Having spoken to an AM specialist and a classic electrics specialist, both said you can't really tell what the alternator might be until you get a good look at it, but it almost certainly won't be the one listed in the manual! So its going to come off on Friday, then I'll look at replacement or refurb.

[Dewi 2]

I recently had a classic car dynamo rebuilt by this firm.

https://www.acmelectrics.co.uk/

It worked perfectly after the rebuild and even looked as new, repainted in the original colour.
Forget the cost, but think just over £100 incl. VAT.

Perhaps not relevant to an alternator, but I left the regulator untouched on the car.

Hopefully you might have an established competent firm, local to you.