Dynamo to Alternator conversion

It was a nice day [Sunday 17/04/2016] and I decide to bite the bullet and convert the Corsair from a dynamo charging system to an alternator. Armed with a guide from a March 2008 issue of Classic Ford, I had all the components needed; mounting bracket (off an Essex V6 – Capri or Scimitar) and a new Lucas alternator.

First problem was finding long enough bolts of imperial sizes to fit the new (Essex V6 – ebay) bracket to my my V4 block. With the bracket on, it was then unwrapping the new alternator and now my next problem… the tensioner mount hole was on the wrong side. I’m sure I selected one for an Essex V6…

Reluctant to put the dynamo back on I dug out two ‘spare’ old alternators that I had for a Pinto engined Capri. One was seized solid the other, although knackered, at least had a rotating pulley. So after some more rummaging for nuts and bolts (I could go metric here) I got it fitted so at least the fan belt could be used to drive the other components when I start the car up to get it back into the garage.

So after some careful scrutiny of the downloaded online how to – I did the conversion and nothing caught fire. I suspect a poor earth on the old alternator as the ignition light doesn’t glow on pre-ignition (internet search told me that one). I now have to see about exchanging the unit I have for the mounts to be on the other side.

Rest of the afternoon was fiddling about, slackening off and re-tightening the steering control arms for a future job, and getting the hood down – well it was sunny. Progress was slow but I got a bit more done.