AlternatorWouldn't it be great to convert the 912 generator to an alternator?How about a 911 alternator?Bernie Bergmann has announced an alternator kit for 356 ABC and 912 engines. It is now available but there are few details. We saw a similar conversion on a very nice looking 1958 356 Speedster at the Palo Alto Concours last July.  This 160 hp blue-printed VW engine was built for the owner, Richard Downing, by CB Performance Farmersville, CA (North of Fresno). I really like the look of this engine. Note: There are other issues with such a conversion.
On the plus side:
Bernie supplies a new crank pulley, a block off plate for the mechanical fuel pump, an electric fuel pump, a low rise oil cooler block off plate, and an alternate oil filler with his VW kits. Why is an electrical fuel pump part of Bernie's VW kits? Here are other sites that advertise 911 fan kits:
Upgrade to the 1968 generatorThere were two generators supplied with the 912, one of 350W and the second, starting in 1968, the 420W. The latter is the same size as one of those for a VW. Later models of VW converted this to a alternator so it should be possible to change the generator in later 912 engines to the VW alternator. Since the diameter changed, the stand for the generator had to change also. It should also be possible to upgrade to the parts required for the larger generator on the older engines. Here are the part numbers for parts that changed from the 350W to the 420W generator.
The VW stand is not interchangeable with the Porsche one. The hole pattern for the connection to the case is square for the VW and rectangular for the Porsche. Performance Air KitCars with air conditioning may have alternators using a special stand. Porsche Air, now Performance Air, 1885 Santa Cruz St. Anaheim, CA 92805. (714) 634-9184 made an alternator kit for use with their air conditioners. A call to them confirms the kit was made, however, due to lack of sales, it was discontinued several years ago and there is no more inventory. Add on AlternatorAnother option is to mount a small alternator off to the side of the generator and add the appropriate belts and pulleys to operate it. Remove the brushes from the existing generator to allow it to operate the fan with minimum drag. J.C. Whitneys might be a good place to order the alternator. |
