alternator suggestions

[aleiby]

I struck out over the summer trying to get an alternator out of the ddb, and have decided to try another route.

A local shop (Franklin's) have said they'd be happy to do the fabrication work necessary for a conversion -- since I lack the tools (or experience).

Combing through the old threads here, I've collected a couple suggestions.

100211-1680 NipponDenso 12v/40a (Diahatsu 3 Cyl Diesel) -- 40 amps hardly seems worth the effort.

Geo Metro 3 cyl - http://www.1aauto.com/1A/alternator/Geo/Metro/1AEAL00302/317692 -- 50 amps... better, does that look like it would work though?

It sounds like you might just be able to use a Type 1 alt by grinding off the lip and using shims?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=644580 -- 55 amps

I had read that RX-7 has an 80 amp that fits. Like this maybe?
http://www.partstrain.com/store/details/Mazda/RX-7...f&cj=1

And if you really want to go all out, there's a 90 amp Kubota / Komatsu forklift alternator, but I'm not sure which one they were talking about. There's a 90 amp alternator on this site along with a bunch of other Nippondenso here: http://www.motorcityreman.com/niinal.html

Anyway, at this point I'm thoroughly lost, and thought I'd see if anyone here had suggestions. Trying to find an appropriate one online seems pretty futile without a specific model number to work with.

Thanks!
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[dirtsandwich]

I did the Type 1 alt. It works, but would be much easier if you cut into the tins rather than grind on the alternator. Some people (like me) didn't want to cut the tins.

For giggles i bought a 3 cyl metro alt from a junkyard for $30 or so (it was from a 98 metro). It has a serpentine belt pulley on it so you'll need a v pulley. I bought the Powermaster 181 from Summit and it fits like a glove. The alt fits very nicely in the generator spot. You'll need something to replace the generator strap. I bought a thick piece of metal strapping from home depot - forget the gauge at the moment.

I have yet to do the final belt fitting but I'm sure it won't be rocket science.

I was really surprised how well this fits. I like the T1 alt but the geo is a easier fit.
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71 Squareback
77 Bus

[dirtsandwich]

and you can do it yourself... really. I'm a computer geek, not a mechanic and it worked out fine for me.

Just follow Air_Cooled_Nut's guide for the wiring. I read it all the way through a couple times, printed it out, then went to the squareback walked through the process without actually doing it. Then, I did it. As long as you go into it knowing you have to be thorough then you'll be just fine.
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71 Squareback
77 Bus

[vwfye]

nippondenso alt in the 40 amp variety has been on my engine for 70k miles or so now... same belt.
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64 No'back Speedster "Pearl"
LME "Little Giant Killer 3"
1974 Ghia "PUK"

[Shakey]

The type one alternator turned backward is more work. When I get settled and upgrade to the 75 amp that I have I will use dirt's idea of trimming the flange and I will turn mine a few degrees to the side. No shims involved and all the seals and air flow are as the factory desired. One of my biggest worries with the other alt setups is heat. (There is a reason GM put blowers with cooler air blowing across the alt on a Fiero. I burned up 2 alts in one month because of heat when the fan quit working.) This Alt was installed many years and miles ago. It is still working to this day. In 9 years owning the car and over 5 years running the Alt set up I just bought my second battery last month and I think that was a case of a worn starter drawing to many amps for the cold weather (1 degree today). I changed the original starter yesterday when it finally quit working. So as far as i can tell the charging system is working.

Just to let you know that I have no issues with using non factory parts. At times it works and other times they don't. Sometimes we have to make due with what we got or can get in the way of parts and sometimes I have to do things just to prove to myself that it can be done. By the way I am also running a bug light switch, turn signal, and ignition switch. Not sure of what model years but the only function that I know I have lost is the little green light on the dash that says your lights are on. Which in daylight you coldn't see and at night I can see the dash lights to know they are on. And the headlights still turn off with the key.
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71 DD Squareback
Type 3 The VW with the "bugs" worked out

[Buttafuoco]

hmmm, the alternator i have is supposed to be a beetle one but looks nothing like the one on the aircoolednut how to. mine has a significantly larger part on the body jus behind the pully area. :edited: ah, i see, it goes in backwards. DOH!

[Levi Harris]

Like this?

It's pretty easy to grind the flange off so it fits with out cutting into your tins. As far as shimming... I think it's hit or miss depending on how well your tins fit. I've done this to two engines and have shimmed both of them.
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...and by the power invested in me as God of my world...

[Buttafuoco]

exactly like that. mine already had the part grinded off so that saved me some time. i take it this may have lived once in a t3. it didnt come with the pully however the threaded stud is the same as the generator threads. will the gen pully work i wonder?

[RyanRodman]

[Buttafuoco]

is the stock geo metro alternator pully for a serpentine or a v-belt? If serpentine does the alternator accept the stock generator pully or where can the proper v-belt pully to fit the alternator be purchased? THANKS

[Mike Fisher]

Forget the Geo Metro since you already have a Beetle alternator that will work.
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[Buttafuoco]

something wrong internally...wouldnt charge.

[Mike Fisher]

I'd probably buy another new/used Beetle alternator. I like the looks of them installed!
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https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[Russ Wolfe]

[Buttafuoco]

i did bypass and the idiot light had remained on. i had a friend bench test it and he determined it wasnt functioning correctly. Any info on the geo pully?

[Russ Wolfe]

Don't know about the pulley, but be careful about which Geo alternator you get.
My brother is a Geo specialist. I asked if he had any extras laying around.
He said that most of them are only 35 amp capacity.
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Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

[Buttafuoco]

35amp? isnt that about the same as the stock gen.? So far i know it is in a 91 3cyl. so body size works for the t3. i will need to find out the amps.

[W1K1]

good link, it gives dimensions too.

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/denso_alternators.html
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1973 super 2110cc
1965 squareback 1500E-sold
1971 bay window westy- EJ2.5 subi swap

[Russ Wolfe]

[JSMskater]