BritishV8 Forum

Dear Experts....

Guys I have a 1978 wiring loom in my Uk car and have upgraded to an RV8 alternator. I have to be honest and say electrics are my weakness, i have read lots of guides and made sure I have the correct gauge wiring for the extra amps but have no idea which wire goes where on the alternator.

if anyone has the RV8 alternator on their car can you please advise me which connection goes where!!! Please.... The connections are 3 studs (all different sizes) and 3 L shape plugs. I don't want to start guessing and starts sparks flying!

Thanks for your help!!!

Here's a couple of photos of my RV8's alternator.  If you need more detail, let me know.   Not sure about the 3 L-shaped plugs.   I don't appear to have those.  This looks like the OEM alternator as the date matches the car.

Cheers
Simon

Simon thats great thanks. Looks like mine isn't an RV8 alternator even though a specialist sold it to me as one.

The L-shape fittings look like the ones that come from the black block marked 02-94. Mine doesnt have these blocks at all!

I will post some photos as well but for now does yours have any letters next to the terminals. For example just the letter B or anything like that.

Thanks again!

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, Rob.  I don't venture on here very often.  I'll look in the morning at the terminals and see what's on there.

I'll post some photos of the alternator wiring on my Rover 3.5-powered MGB as well.  Maybe its alternator is similar to yours.  For now, here's a shot of it during the build.

Simon,

That would be great. The alternator on your B v8 looks exactly like mine! In fact the car looks the same colour!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

I should also mention on further inspection mine does have the black blocks that are the same as your RV8 alternator.

Any markings from yours will be sure to help.

Hmm....interesting.  Looks like a bit of a hybrid you have there.  Just so I have this correct; your alternator looks like my grey V8's one but has the black blocks of the RV8?

FWIW, the V8's alternator plugs directly into the stock '74 wiring harness I used to wire the car.  That may or may not help with identifying it.

I will get you some photos asap.  I'll also look in the RV8's shop manual in an attempt to sort out its wiring and the plugs.

Cheers
Simon

Some pics of the alternator!

It is clearly from the RV8 now that I have it off the car. i just want to confirm the locations of each wire if thats possible.

Nice photos!

I was worried about how big they are but its the only way to get the detail!

Hey Rob,
The black blocks on the alternator are noise supressors for your radio etc. The loose one in the photo should go to the W terminal. This terminal won't be used on your car. It is a phase tap and is usually used as a tachometer feed for diesel applications. The B+ goes to the battery or starter terminal through the heavy brown wire. I would not use the one in the factory harness. Upgrade it to at least a 8 guage wire to be safe. The D+ goes to the brown yellow wire. This wire is for voltage sensing and turns the idiot light on in the dash.
That should do it.
Cheers
Fred

Fred....you are my hero! I have already upgarded the cable thanks to the Roger Williams book!

I will do this tomorrow and then its off for a UK MOT!!!

Just a pic of the nearly finished car!

Nice car Rob. What are the side vents from?

Very well spotted. Its the only real modification that stands out from being original! They are from a works Healey 3000. The inner wings are also vented to allow air flow for cooling and to prevent the nose lifting at speed!

Not to everyones taste and a bit overkill but I have always wanted a works Healey and this as close as I can get for now!

I like 'em.

Bobbydm,

You must be stoked ...... almost complete ..... great build quality .......  I also like the vents  ......... We all have AH cravings  ... and very difficult to find a sound one to restore any more ....ones that are done have decent  are fetching big money ...are the wheels panasport?  what size?

Alan
Boston

Well finally she has an MOT, new steering rack fitted over the weekend and passed yesterday!

Time to get the engine run in!

Thanks for the comments Alan, and yes I am over the moon! I got a wrap around hardtop for it so it can be used a lot more over the winter!