Is the 80amp alt specific to the 560 or is there some cross-compatibility. The setup is pretty basic after all. Higher amperage would be nice. But when I go rebuild shopping I want to know if I can use others designated for other Benzs.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

Does it use a serp belt or v belts?

I'm amazed the 560 came with a wimpy 80 amp unit when it had a big stereo, heated seats, and all the other toys to run. I have a 110 amp unit waiting to go in place of the 80 amp on my car now.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

V belt. And I know what you mean. 80 amp is nothing and its not like other cars of the same vintage came with similar. Other cars easily came with 100+. Also not to mention that with age they degrade. Mine is putting out 13.9v at battery. That has me a little concerned that amp output is also down.

But since its a standard "swing arm" mount I would think others would either go right in or go in with little modification. At least I hope.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

is that 13.9 at idle? That's not so bad. My Audi came with a 110A, and my 91/92 Jettas had 90amps, and those cars cost almost 4 times less then the SDL

There's an upgraded bosch alternator used on some Saab cars the 85 and older diesel guys upgrade to, perhaps that would fit your V8?

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Seems like there's a few old threads circa 2003-2004 on here on the mods necessary to do a 110 amp (maybe even a 140 amp) alternate. Took a little work, but not bad. It was something i had considered when i had the 560sel.

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Earl McLain
'02 C230 Kompressor
'89 560 SEL "Frau BlueCar" (retired April 2004)

I think the AL129x alt will work based on the info I found. 115amps. From a Saab. Appears to be a direct fit. Another upgraded to 130amp, but had some slight mods to do because the pulley was too far out.

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

Thread:

"Alternator" 115 Amp Bosch AL129X works in 123s!

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

I think all the frames are the same- just have to swap the pulley.

There are lots of ppl running the 110-143 amp and the 150 amp models.. on v-belt cars(up to 2001Alternators).
Used they are $50-125. Most ppl throw a new regulator/brush pack on the alt which is another $30-35. You can do bearings too for another $20. Rears seem to get a bit noisy- and it's the cheaper brg.

You have to make a new harness for the wiring- need switched power source and then bigger cable to take the power.


M

The Saab version fits, just the case has to be rotated 180° from when I test fit it a while back.

I do not see how you can get away with much more amperage with a skinny, single V belt.

Regardless, 115A > 80A.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]