V8S Alternator

[seb400]

Evening good folk. Mrs S here. Mr S has disappeared off skiing and left me to sort this out. Nice.

Anyway, according to the breakdown bloke last night, the alternator has gone on the V8S and therefore needs replacing. Mr S has phoned someone or other and asked me to find out if the alternator is a 100 or 120 amp, and if it's a toothed belt or not. ???????

I've had a quick squint at Steve Heath's book, and can't find the answer. Also the book suggests that you take the old alternator along when you buy a new one to ensure that you get the exact model, as some of them are a different size.

So, my questions are: what is it I need, where do I get it from, and do I really need to take the old alternator off? If so, I will need to behave like a complete girly and get some kind bloke to take it off for me (and then replace it with the new one) :-)

Thanks for all your help.

[pies]

Get from here

www.rimmerbros.co.uk/

and i believe (from my records)their part number is

either :-

Right hand fixing - (1) - RTC5680E
Left hand fixing - (1) - RTC5681E

They issue a surcharge (was £75), on return of your old alternator its all refunded

HTH



>> Edited by pies on Tuesday 7th February 19:58

[seb400]

Pies

Thanks, that helps a lot.

So, from the Rimmer Bros site, the alternator is from a Range Rover, and is 65amp - not 100 or 120 then. Reading Steve Heath's book a little more closely, it seems to suggest that the alternator is 50 to 70 amps. Mind you, while the individual words all mean something to me, I can't say they mean too much when strung together into a sentence

What does left or right hand fixing mean?

Now, again from looking at Steve's book, the alternator doesn't look too difficult to remove. A few bolts??? Or am I being hopelessly naive? Might be an idea for me to have a good look at the weekend in the light.

Just a thought - it is possible that the leads to the alternator could be broken rather than the alternator itself? I didn't see what the breakdown blokey did, so don't know what he tested. He didn't seem overly interested........

Thanks again - and sorry for the girly questions

[greenv8s]

If you have to sort it, then get the alternator taken off and get the alternator people to give you a reconditioned equivalent. It is easy to remove the alternator, but if you aren't mechanically minded consider asking a local home mechanic to remove and refit it for you. The mechanic should also be able to recommend a good local place to exchange the alternator, if you don't already have that sorted.

[seb400]

greenv8s said:

If you have to sort it, then get the alternator taken off and get the alternator people to give you a reconditioned equivalent. It is easy to remove the alternator, but if you aren't mechanically minded consider asking a local home mechanic to remove and refit it for you. The mechanic should also be able to recommend a good local place to exchange the alternator, if you don't already have that sorted.

Thanks. Think I'll have a look at the weekend to see if I can get the alternator off. I know of a local motor factor. Hopefully they will be able to get me a replacement. I'll give them a ring.

While I don't do a great deal of poking about in engines, I'm fairly practical. Not too critical to get the alternator back on before Mr S arrives home, but it would be nice so he doesn't have to do it while suffering from jet lag!

[greenv8s]

Disconnect the battery before you start, and make a note of which wire goes where on the alternator. (There are usually several spare terminals which can cause confusion when you are refitting).

[seb400]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like a job for Saturday morning!

I phoned four people today - two were not overly helpful, and two were extremely helpful. To cut a long story short:

1. Local motor factor - told me they didn't carry parts for TVRs and I would need to go to a main dealer. After explanation - Range Rover alternator 100 or 120 amp. About £260.

2. Local garage where we've had a few bits done. Just round the corner - 'Get the AA to trailer it round to us and we will have a look at it for you.' Can't give me an idea of cost as tricky to say with TVRs............

3. Topcats Racing - Bloke rung me back, gave me lots of tips on how to remove the alternator. Advised me about amps. Apologised that he was too busy this week so couldn't get out to me, but to ring him if I had any problems, and he could come out to me next week if I hadn't managed to sort it out. Didn't speak to me like I was a total dozy twonk.
Another thumbs up for Topcats.
Incidentally, when I spoke to him Charlotte had been in labour for ten hours. Congratulations to Warren and Charlotte, and hope all went well.

4. Lee Boreham - will speak to some suppliers he knows and get back to me (and he emailed me some great photos of his restored chassis).

While I don't expect anyone to do anything for nothing, it would be nice if everyone was as helpful as Topcats and Lee (and you guys of course ). Faith restored.

Mrs S

>> Edited by seb400 on Wednesday 8th February 20:38