S2 alternator replacement?

[Peter Cripps]

Yesterday, my Ducellier alternator decided that after 35+ years of rotation it was time to stop. Lots of acrid smoke from slipping drive belt, followed by an embarrassing ride home on the back of a AAA tow truck! Took the alternator off this morning, and, sure enough, it's partially seized. Haven't investigated further yet.

But I'm wondering if there's any modern replacement that would fit. I did a search and found a reference to a Denso alternator, but couldn't find the part number on the Denso website. One option, of course, is to visit a junkyard and look for something about the right size, but it would be great if someone already knows of a suitable replacement.

Thanks,

Peter

[tim]

I dont have the info to hand but I did take off a larger Lucas unit from my zagato which was a direct replacement for the ducellier or borch units and had internal regulator.

If interested I can get the part number in a week.

Tim

PS wanted to fit oem bosch but still have the lucas unit in case of problems. The previous owner complained of flat batteries so fitted a more powerful alternator but I found a problem in the wiring wich gave a constant current draw due to a relay being wired incorrectly. Now I havent had suchh a problem.

[Huib Geurink]

There is indeed a direct replacement modern one with built in regulator. One from Denso. A copy from ISKRA. And another copy from China which is sold under different brand names. The latter costs about 100 euro. I haven't got any partnumbers but the dynamo shop always gives me the right one depending on the customers budget. The Denso ones have a sense input on the regulator. This is nice. Connect it to the battery through a switch. It then regulates its voltage such that 14 volt arrives at the battery terminal. When you need extra powerfull lights during a very dark night you can open the switch and the voltage goes up to 15 volts.

[Peter Cripps]

Thanks Huib and Tim.

Unfortunately in the USA asking for a Lancia Fulvia alternator doesn't get you very far! And generally parts are ordered by make and model, not part number.

Is there any way we could discover what cars use the Denso alternator?

Thanks,

Peter

[Peter Cripps]

Some progress ... it seems that the compact Denso alternators are marketed to racers, at least here in the USA:

Denso alternators


They are available at Summit Racing and elsewhere. The 8172 unit looks promising ... except for the $195 price!

Peter

[Fulvia a.i. Claire]

as my Jewish Grandfather, from Dublin, said ; or was it my Jewish Godmother, from the Bronx ?
"if yer gonna buy, buy wholesale, or be friends with someone who can" !

One of them also said "its always cheaper by the dozen"; but that won't apply in this case, unless a lot of your USA Fulvia friends join forces with you !!! Hmmm, are there even 12 Fulvias in the USA ???

[Michael Beattie]

Carefull of the Racing spec alternators, I have seen it reported on another site ( for Alfas) that they are designed for use with a cut out switch, as used on race / rally cars. This means that they "leaK" voltage when not in use and will flatten your battery.

Check eBay there are plenty of alternators on there.

[LFW]

My Alternator is the Japanese Denso 1L29 model ref: 27060-87211 12V 100211-4620

works superbly.

However it cost me 118 EUROS excl postage.

[Peter Cripps]

The Denso alternators I'm looking at are sold by 'Powermaster' here. I don't know if they are just agents, or a division of Denso. But in any case, their part numbers don't tie in with the IL29 model that LFW mentioned.

The 8172 appears to have its field winding brought out separately. I don't think it will suffer from the battery drain problem of the one-wire racing alternators. But. Michael, if by chance you have the link to the Alfa reference, I'd be interested to check it up.

Here's what Powermaster says in their FAQ:



What is the difference in Part # 8172 (jumper one wire) and Part # 8162?

There are three differences in these two units:

1) The regulator in # 8172 is not a racing one-wire regulator, but an OE regulator. It has a lower set point of 14.0VDC. The ignition terminal on the regulator is either jumpered to the alternator battery post or it is connected to the ignition switch “RUN” position. (If it is jumpered to the battery connection be sure to disconnect the battery when the engine is off for long periods, as a jumpered alternator will pull up to 300mA of standby current.)

2) The bearings in the 8172 are OE. The bearings in the 8162 are custom packed with a special lube for high speed, low drag operation.

3) The 8172 has a natural finish and the 8162 has a black thermal coat finish. This coating is a ceramic based heat dispersant coating that enables the alternator to run at a cooler temperature, thus prolonging the life of the alternator.



The 8172 is expensive, though, $195.95 plus tax and shipping. I'm still looking for good alternatives.





Thanks again to all for your comments.

Peter

[Leonard Zapala]

Peter,

I bought an alternator for my S2 from Lancia Ersatzteil Service in South Africa. They're at www.lancia.co.za. They have a great online catalog. My alternator is a Bosch, but they are worth a look.

Lenny