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  View original topic: Gen. to alt. conversion question.
candyflame73 Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:23 pm

Quick question I know you guys have the answer to. I am preparing to install an engine in the near future and gathering the last bit of parts. My 73 super had a generator in it, and I have taken care of the wiring to do the conversion. My question, is what mechanically is different to install the alt. to the fan shroud and cooling fan? Will my factory backing plate, spacer ring, hub, etc. that was on my generator fit the altenator, or is there different parts for the altenator? Any help clearing this up would be great...thanks in advance.
Eric

volkenstein Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:42 pm

Candyflame73,
Save everything off the gennie and re-use it. This includes the woodruff keys, 2 10mm nuts 'n' wave washers, fan hub, nut, big waved washer, shims (if found). Test fit all the tin and gear and set the fan clearance.

If you haven't bought a kit, I would recommend an OG Alternator stand. I would also recommend buying some spacer shims for pulley spacing "just in case". You can re-use the gennie pulley halves or spring for the fan equipped alternator one from Airccoled.net.

Don't forget about the fuel pump/rod combo, 34 Pict 3 clearance issues, and alternator fan belt.

HTH
Volkenstein

candyflame73 Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:00 pm

Thanks Volkenstein! Thats what I needed to know. I did have the fuel pump and push rod changed, so that is taken care of. I disassembled the car about 12 years ago when I started this project. But I kept the gen. and fan shroud all assembled as a unit and stored it. So I do have all the factory stuff to do the switch. As far as a stand I have what is described as a gen/alt stand (aftermarket). I hope this will work. Now that you mention the belt, I remember now reading here on The Samba that it is a different belt for the altenator, and that some people make the mistake of running the wrong belt. Great pointer, thanks for the great info! :D
Eric

cbr900racer Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:23 pm

just my .02...i have heard of alot of crappy aftermarket stands. i bought an alt. stand from cip1 and it fit perfectly. i swapped from gen. to alt. and was able to use everything else from my gen. setup (30amp).

GeorgeL Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:27 pm

cbr900racer wrote: just my .02...i have heard of alot of crappy aftermarket stands. i bought an alt. stand from cip1 and it fit perfectly.

The problem isn't so much the fit, but breakage. Seems some of the aftermarket ones tend to crack around the base. Best way to go is with a used German stand.

All the tin and pulley should fit fine. The only exception is on buses originally fitted with 38A generators.

cbr900racer Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:58 pm

GeorgeL wrote: cbr900racer wrote: just my .02...i have heard of alot of crappy aftermarket stands. i bought an alt. stand from cip1 and it fit perfectly.

The problem isn't so much the fit, but breakage. Seems some of the aftermarket ones tend to crack around the base. Best way to go is with a used German stand.

All the tin and pulley should fit fine. The only exception is on buses originally fitted with 38A generators.

hopefully, that won't be my case :lol: i went with cip1 because i was in a hurry and had it overnighted. if memory serves me, i got most of my advice from you George, so in case i forgot to say it...thanks :D

MedicTed Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:49 pm

GeorgeL wrote: The only exception is on buses originally fitted with 38A generators.

Please explain this. I just got an alternator and OEM stand for my Westy. What problem(s) am I going ot have?

candyflame73 Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:57 pm

GeorgeL wrote: cbr900racer wrote: just my .02...i have heard of alot of crappy aftermarket stands. i bought an alt. stand from cip1 and it fit perfectly.

The problem isn't so much the fit, but breakage. Seems some of the aftermarket ones tend to crack around the base. Best way to go is with a used German stand.



As far as the German stands go, is there a different stand for the altenator?

volkenstein Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:09 pm

Candyflame73,
The Alt stand will resemble the aftermarket jobbie like you have already. The most obvious difference between a gen and alt stand is that the alt stand appears to have a massive scallop out of the front. This is necessary to clear the large outer diameter portion of the alt.

In terms of quality and material, an OG stand wins hands down.


Volkenstein

GeorgeL Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:20 am

MedicTed wrote: GeorgeL wrote: The only exception is on buses originally fitted with 38A generators.

Please explain this. I just got an alternator and OEM stand for my Westy. What problem(s) am I going ot have?

Not quite a threadjack, but it is a side trip. Sorry...

If your bus has a 38A generator, the round tin and the fan hub are different than the 30A bug generator/alternator. The 38A generator is slightly longer, so the tin has to be dished and the fan hub has to be shorter to make everything fit in the same shroud.

Some say the pulley is different too, but I used the same pulley with the 38A generator and the alternator with perfect alignment both times.

Just replace the round tin and the fan hub and you'll be fine with your Westy.

cbr900racer Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:15 pm

if you need the backing plates and the hub kit, PM me. i will hook you up CHEAP. i have aftermarket (brand new) or OEM used ones. i kinda ended up with too many sets.



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