[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

Your original type alternator, with the external regulator, is actually far more reliable than the '82> type. It was thought to be the right thing to do to "upgrade" the old style alt/reg to the internal style. But then, after many had been done, it was realized that the internal style had a typical life expectancy of about 40K miles vs 100K+ miles for the external style.

If I was in your situation, I would find a really good rebuilder to do your alternator, and replace the voltage regulator with a new one (I write this assuming a new regulator can still be bought). After a car has been updated to an internal unit, the usual process is to have the alternator rebuilt, and a new regulator installed.

When you update an early car, the air duct has to be modified slightly. The fan shroud is good to go. My shop always stocked one early style rebuilt alternator w/a new reg., and two late style rebuilt alternators. I felt that emergencies required a quick turn around, so we did our best to get a replacement done, at the worst, the next day following a tow in. The ratio of rebuilds, old to new, was mind boggling.

Peter would you mind elaborating on the modification to the air duct? I ask because i just replaced the air duct on my alternator as part of my regular cleaning of the top fins of my motor. The old one was missing the second fin. You have me now wondering if i should have let my old one stay.