as the title asks, i have an 85 VDP EFI, which i assume (according to my shop manual) has the lucas A133 alternator, but i just purchased a reconditioned lucas 23ACR alternator (used on SD1s until 82, this one i am getting came off a 79 SD1 3500).

My alternator is stuffed, sounds like bad bearings and its overcharging... plus its putting too much load on the engine and making the belt slip.

Can i change the a133 for the 23acr? The only difference i can see in the specs is that the 133 puts out 65A, and the 23 only puts out 55A.
The alt i purchased (but still waiting to pay for it yet) has been completely reconditioned, so will run like new.

Why did they change the alts, and will i get even more problems putting the older alternator on?

Please advise asap so i know if i have to back out of this sale and find another alternator.

Thanks

can anyone help? please?

hello mate i thinkyour be ok if the bolt hole are in the wrong place dont worry get a 8mm spanner undo the nuts pull the bolts out then with a hummer tap it around slowly and your done put the bolts back in and thats it good luck mate

i havent got the alternator yet, i still cant decide if i want to take the risk... seeing as noone can tell me if it would work or not.

Im sure it would bolt in okay, but i need to know if the alt putting out 10Amp less than that original alternator would matter?

I can't give you an answer I'm afraid, except to say that if it was me I'd try and get the same alternator as a replacement. If you've got things like electric sunroof, air conditioning etc then the extra output may well be needed - and perhaps since it's EFI it's even more critical that output is sufficiently high to maintain good battery charge?

the problem there is that its proving very hard to find an A133 alt.... and its going to cost an arm and a leg (close to $300nzd) to rebuild mine.

yeah it's not cheap getting auto electrical stuff done here in NZ is it.

I know someone who's in the local rover club, so I'll ask him tomorrow if you like, he might be able to give an answer. He has a auto Vitesse.

I picked up a set of doors yesterday, and the guy I bought them off chucked in a whole lot of other stuff as well, like complete EFI unit, power steering rack, misc switches etc.... no alternator though sorry

never a good idea to use an alternator which has a lower output. they used the more powerful one for a reason!
better to get yours rebuilt if you can't get another one . i know it's expensive, but if you bought the lower output one you'd find you'd wasted your cash really.

Could you get just the bearings and diode pack (rectifier(have a crack yourself.Or maybe they want old one in exchange.How much would shipping be from a cheaper source.Good luck.JJ

Hi KwS - have you spotted this? Dont know if it's the right type but mght be worth asking about eh...

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that alternator on trademe is completely different to mine, thanks anyway.

Doesnt matter now, managed to get a factory reconditioned alternator. Puts out 70A, and is nice and fancy looking. No more squeeling, and no more battery light at idle. Charging nicely at 14ish volts too.

Got it nice and cheap too... thanks to it being on clearance.

Finally i can drive my baby again!

Thanks guys.