Does anyone have any experience using a pinto engine in a "lo-locost" IRS Chassis ?
I'm struggling to fit the alternator. It can't live on it's original bracket as the bottom steering U/J is in the way so it has to go higher up. Fabricating a bracket is ok but if its too high the fan belt fouls the Thermostat Housing and if its too low it fouls the Steering Column. Is there an easy way round this ? (different alternator maybe ?) I'm using a Sierra Rack and wondered if another one might be better so's I could rotate the U/J a bit lower down All thoughts and ideas gratefully received. Cheers J.J

Contact Merlin (by u2u) as he'll sell you a bracket to mount your alternator higher up. He's using a Pinto and it fits so assuming that the Lolocost dimensions are the same as The Book then one should work for you.

People have also fitted other alternators- I intend to fit a nice light Japanese one instead of the huge Pinto alternator.

HTH,

James

Thanks James
Making A bracket is no problem mate. It's the fact that there's almost not enough space for the Pinto unit anyway. That's why I thought of maybe using using another or chnaging the rack position/type

Hi ,
Have a look in the photos section as I can remember somebody using a pinto and I think a hitachi (smaller) alternator.
I do not know for sure as the photos section is down at the moment but have a look.

As another alternative check out an alternator from a Daihatsu Hijet van. It is about the size of a small dogs heart and rated at about 45 amps.

on my ford v6 i moved the alternator to engine top. this also fouled the thermostat housing, so i made a new one. On that engine, the 'stat is recessed in the block, so the housing could be literally a plate with a pipe welded on to it.

atb

steve

This may be irrelevant but can you use the original bracket but use a shorter belt to keep the alternator closer to the engine?

No space mate. the steering U/J sits right alongside the original bracket mounting holes...
Think best solution might be a smaller Alty......JJ

quote:

---

Originally posted by paulbeyer
As another alternative check out an alternator from a Daihatsu Hijet van. It is about the size of a small dogs heart and rated at about 45 amps.

---

No worries Jonesy,

Does that mean you have bought one? I came across this little nugget of information by accident whilst at a diesel fitters recently. They had a new one sat on their counter waiting for collection (they wanted £145 for it) I just took the make and model number and crossed referenced it later.

Is Merlin still around? Tried e-mail & U2U but no luck?