260Z alternator swap

[joho260]

Sorry if this has already been beaten to death. I have a '74 260Z (build 3/74) and I would very much like to install a more potent alternator. I understand that the swap for 240Z's won't work due to fuel pump and seat belt interlock issues. I plan to go with an aftermarket fuel pump which I will wire from scratch with its own relay and oil pressure cutoff. The seat belt interlock was defeated by the previous owner and it looks like it was done by securing the emergency start button in the engine compartment in the permanently down position.

I will not have too much electrical load - the only increase would be halogen headlamps and a slightly more powerful radio (50 w driving two 8 x 11 speakers).

A while back, a forum member named "bambikiller240" said that he had a method for doing this swap on a 260Z and one could contact him for the info. However, he no longer appears to be a forum member. Does anyone have the details of the 260Z alternator swap?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Robert260z]

Joho,

I am interested in this also as I have an E74 260Z. Would like to swap it to a chevy alternator if possible. Hopefully someone will have the answer.

Robert

[joho260]

Actually, it would be great if one could simply rewire the 260Z starting/ignition/charging circuitry to the original 240Z system. The seat belt interlock was never a good idea and I can deal with the electric fuel pump issue very simply on my own.

Joe

[v4vAnimalMother]

I need some help with this as well, p/u a rebuilt ZX alternator this afternoon.

[clayton 260z]

I have a 74 260Z early production and swaped to a 105 amp alternator from Z Specialties 1-800-518-5480 over 18 months ago, simple swap.

Have not had one problem.

Mike

[Jeff G 78]

A while back, a forum member named "bambikiller240" said that he had a method for doing this swap on a 260Z and one could contact him for the info. However, he no longer appears to be a forum member. Does anyone have the details of the 260Z alternator swap?

Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago.

Depending on what you want, you can upgrade to a Maxima alternator, a Z Specialties unit, or a GM alternator. You will need to convert to internal regulation which is easy. From there, they will all be similarly priced. I have around $100 in my Maxima 100+ amp alternator and it looks exactly like the stock one. The GM swap will be cheap down the road if/when you need to replace it, and the Z Specialties 105 amp is probably the easiest, but doesn't look quite stock if that is important to you.

[Robert260z]

Thanks Jeff. I will do a search on the internal conversion in a bit. If you know of a link please post. Maxima or GM does not matter to me but cheap sounds good and with the GM alternator it will be easier down the road to find repalcement as needed.

Again thanks as I have been a member a while but have not posted here before. Luckily I was being asked to sit and watch a boring "hate the man" channel romantic film. Jeeze! ANyway picked up the laptop and was breeing through the sites when I came across this thread.

Later.

Robert

[Jeff G 78]

I don't know of the thread off hand, but a quick search for GM alternator swap should get you there. My guess is that the initial swap will be around the same cost for all three give or take, but the Maxima and certainly the GM alternators will be a breeze to find down the road. I'm sure the Z Specialties unit is great, but if you are broken down on the side of the road some day, you will be unable to get a quick replacement.

BTW, 2 posts in 4 years??? Slow down there cowboy!

[Robert260z]

, Its funny and sad. Had the car for 4 years and its in decent shape body wise. Want to repaint but I am the type that wants it done right. That includes strip down, fix the rust (minor at this point) and an awesome paint job. Sad part is since getting it I have not had much time to do anything except charge the baqttery every other month. Seriously I do not see where most Z heads find the time.

[=Enigma=]

I know exectly what you mean. Time is my enemy as well but I manage to get in a couple hours every few weeks. Not nearly as much as I want but you gotta work with what your're given.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

and what your wife will allow.

[matria]

Mike/Clayton 260z,

Would you please do a write up on how you did your conversion?

The suggestions to do the GM or other swap are great for the 240z but will not work for the early 260z for various reasons.

Thanks in advance,

Skip Dawson