Dynamator or alternator+brackets??

[Johnfm]

So, looking at prices for alternators (?50ish) and brackets (?55ish) once vat and delivery is included an alternator set up is circa ?140.

If a dynamator could be had for similar, which would be 'better'?

I am leaning toward the dynamator so I don't need all the brackets etc.

Thoughts?

[UAB807F]

Is it really ?55 for brackets to mount an alternator ? Ok, I know I still expect to get change from a shilling when I buy my fish'n'chips, but that does seem a lot for a bit of bent steel.

Is it any different from brackets used on any other Ford block of the period ? Maybe a scout around the Ford Escort/Cortina enthusiast sites would get you something a bit cheaper.

Personally I'd go alternator and make my own bracket once the alternator was in my hands, mainly because alternators are known quantities and easily available even from places like Halfords if needs be.

But if originality is your thing then obviously the dynamater is ticking more boxes and it will keep the engine bay looking original. I presume the wiring mods for dynamater are the same as for fitting an alternator ?

Brian

[dgently]

I have a dynamator. I'd buy a regular alternator & brackets if I did it all again. Dynamators OK, but is slow to kick in.

[Concrete-crusher]

I recently fitted a dynamator and it works a treat. The mounting holes were identical to my old dynamo so an easy fit. It's also easy to wire up, live feed to the solonoid and a connection to the ignition warning light. I have left the regulator in place using it as a junction box.

Steve s3.5

[billwill]

I have a dynamator. I'd buy a regular alternator & brackets if I did it all again. Dynamators OK, but is slow to kick in.

Did you use the pulley off a dynamo or did you get a reduced size pulley.

I seem to recall that alternators use smaller pulleys so that they spin faster at low engine revs.

[Concrete-crusher]

Hi

I used the original dynamo pulley as the dynamator does not come with one as standard.

Steve

[billwill]

Hi

I used the original dynamo pulley as the dynamator does not come with one as standard.

Steve

That is possibly why it is slow to kick in.

Try getting an alternator pulley from a scrap yard.

[Johnfm]

I am going to try the accuspark 'dynamator'.

At ?124.95 it is much chepaer than the Dynalite version - and not much more than a ?50 alternator and all the brackets - I don't have facilities at home to fabricate brackets and I don't hink ?125 is all that expensive in the general scheme of things.

[Craven]

Hi
My take on the need for an alternator bracket was to avoid possible breakage on the top mount to the front cover, a relatively high output alternator requiring much more torque than a dynamo.
Would this not apply to a dynamator.
Ron.
Car?s with factory fitted alternators had strengthened front covers.

[fatboyoz]

Ron,
I think you will find that all original front covers are the same. Alternators that were factory fitted had a very substantial lower mount that was also bolted to the front cover. A doubler plate was fitted to the top, adjustable mount to spread the load over three of the front cover bolts.
When I retro-fitted an alternator to my car, I used a lower mount similar to the standard generator, an adjustable top mount and the three holed doubler plate (both from the alternator fitment) to spread the load of the top mount.
Pictures of these items can be viewed on Ray's (r.d. enterprises) website: http://www.rdent.com/manuals/index.html
Go to the +2 Electrical section and look under "Components, major".
Regards,
Colin.

Hi
My take on the need for an alternator bracket was to avoid possible breakage on the top mount to the front cover, a relatively high output alternator requiring much more torque than a dynamo.
Would this not apply to a dynamator.
Ron.
Car?s with factory fitted alternators had strengthened front covers.

[Craven]

Sorry thought this was a factory mod.
Ron.

[Johnfm]

So:

smaller pulley required or not?

3 bolt hold bracket needed or a 'nice to have'?

[UAB807F]

So:

smaller pulley required or not?

3 bolt hold bracket needed or a 'nice to have'?

I can't help you on the pulley question because when I first fitted an alternator it came from a scrapyard complete with pulley, and that same pulley wheel has remained through a rebuild & replacement. I think I'd just ask the suppliers what size pulley they recommend, and if it's different from the old dynamo then what fan belt to go with it as well ?

On the bracket question (and here's where I can get shot down) my alternator has been running quite happily since the late 70s with brackets that look very, very similar in construction to the original dynamo and nothing like the uprated versions quoted previously.

I do run the system with a very slack fan belt so maybe that's why mine has survived. The logic was that as long as the water pump turns enough to prevent boil-up and the battery is getting 14v when required there's no point in putting more stress in the system with tighter belts.

Brian

[rgh0]

I would fit the standard larger dynamo pulley first that you have already. If you have a problem with the dynamator cutting in at to high a revs for your liking then you can always change it to a smaller pulley.

The three hole top mount reinforcing bracket is a nice to have and good insurance against the front cover cracking. I ran both my Elan and Plus 2 for many years without one and had no problems but added them about 25 years ago when I started building high revving race engines for which they are a needed given the high vibration at 8000 plus rpm around the front of a twin cam.

cheers
Rohan