1979 280ZX 2+2 Alternator with External Regulator

[Candice]

Hello,

My alternator has an external regulator and I was wondering if i could

convert it to an alternator with and internal regulator ? If I can is there
a major benefit to the conversion.
I have done alot of research with the local auto parts dealers and some of
them say that a 1979 280zx 2+2 is suppose to have an internal regulator and some say
external.
I have owned the car since it was new and i am under the impression that the Factory
knows best but I wanted to make sure.

also

Could someone give me the proper procedure for removing the alternator.
My car has been garaged for the last five years and I have misplaced my Chilton's manual.

Any Words of Wisdom would be Greatly Appreciated

Thank You,
Candice

[buysell]

Check out: http://www.xenons130.com/reference.html
You can download the factory manual there.

[Zed Head]

If you've owned the car since it was new then the only way you should have an external regulator is if you or one of the mechanics who had worked on your car had installed one, unless there was some odd factory leftovers. Nissan went to the internal regulator in 1978. I'm no expert on the history of these cars but that would be a very odd thing to have on a 1979 car. Do you have picture?

I converted to an internal regulator on a 1976 car, but in retrospect there was no real advantage gained besides availability of parts, and maybe reliability, except for the fact that the rebuilt alternators available today usually fail at the internal regulator. An external regulator might actually be more reliable unless you use Nissan-made internal alternators.

[sblake01]

Welcome. As Zed Head said, your car shouldn't have an external regulator. How did you come to the conclusion that it does? Where in Calfornia are you located?

[Candice]

I want to say Thank You to those who have responded


This is a 1979 and a half 280zx 2+2 GL Special Edition
My Insurance agent told me 17 years ago there was only 156 in the U.S.

I don't know if this would make a difference for the alternator.

My father did the mechanical work on the car in the previous years but he has now passed away

There are four wires coming out of the back of the alternator one is black (ground) two are white and
one is green. They then join a loom that goes into a small metal box on the passenger fire wall.

I live in Norco,

Candice

[sblake01]

Sounds like an internally reg'd alt to me. But I think is should be one is black (ground) two are white and one is blue with that white and blue on a 'T' shaped plug. Should be the same LR160 alternator used on most 78-83 S30s, S130s, 810s, RWD Maximas, etc. Here's a link to a 1979 280ZX factory service manual: http://www.xenons130.com/files/1979%20280zx%20FSM.zip

[Candice]

Thank You for the information.

I have downloaded the service manual and I am going to pull the alternator Saturday.
Hopefully I will figure out what the small metal box is on the passenger side basically
just because I am curious.

Thank You all again for the help

Happy Trails,
Candice

[sblake01]

Not sure how a 280ZX is setup but my guess would be that the box is either where the the E.F.I. relay or fusible links are located.