Aaron's Dax De Dion build thread

[aaronjb]

Most modern alternators don't need one of course.

This is true - the "too large" 3G one I have currently is internally regulated (comes supplied as 1-wire but can be wired as 3-wire), the 1G fitment one (in need of rebuild) is externally regulated. I don't think you find external regulators over about 60A (maybe 75A) which I guess makes sense given everything* since the 80s has been internally regulated

(*There's probably exceptions to prove the rule)

[aaronjb]

Your kind words, as always, appreciated

If you mean the regulator for the charging system, then on top of footwell - see post #7 here:
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/igni...placement.html

You cannot buy them in the UK (or at least I couldn't find anyone that sold them) if you want the correct item (black with a suitable sticker).
So I gave up....there have to be some limits!

Aha! I hadn't found that thread - I'd found various discussing the different models of regulator and how to make a new one look like an old one etc (this assumes you can find the 'correct' old one first) but no examples of where it lived. Not that my footwells are the right shape anyway..

I am disappointed that your search for originality has limits, Kevin. Disappointed

[ChrisP]

Aaron, just received my 60amp tiny alternator from London and Essex (EBay link I sent in an earlier post)
It is much smaller than most. If you couldn’t get this in then you wouldn’t get anything in!!
Am about to see if I can get it in the GT40 although my March pulley is in the air somewhere over the Atlantic so will have to wait to get brackets done.

[aaronjb]

That's what she said! etc

Could you do me a favour and measure it from the pulley V backward, Chris? No rush though! I may spend some time itching all over tonight*, instead of looking at the alternator

*Cutting and glassing the footwell for more header space

[aaronjb]

OK, I believe I've got the alternator thing sorted - thanks for all the advice & help! I'll let you know what the solution was when I've executed on it and know it actually worked

Got the second parcel from Rock Auto today so now have a bronze (oilite, actually) pilot bushing for the gearbox - I also have a pilot bearing (ball, not open roller) so have a choice. I'll see which fits best! And also in the box were a new thermostat, thermostat gasket, oil filter adapter gasket etc. I figure they haven't been on long but no point risking trying to swap things over and then getting stuck needing a $2 gasket!

I bought the wrong temperature thermostat though, so need to pick up a 180F 'stat per Clive's installation instructions, whoops. (Better call Real Steel this morning!)


Did spend a little time in the garage last night but didn't achieve much beyond re-routing the fuel line, figuring out where the main +ve cable(s) need to go, and just how much of the footwell I can chop out (very little as the clutch pedal is only 1" behind it, but I think just enough!). Onward and upward!

[ChrisP]

Hi Aaron
Some pics of the little alternator

[aaronjb]

Thanks Chris, that is a teeny tiny one!

Couple of little jobs tonight - finished the purge fixture and did some practice welds, much better with the purge on and 2.4mm filler instead of 1.6:


Also took drastic action for an extra 1/2" to 3/4" of space for the headers, just need to glass the hole back up again now..