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Thread: GM Delco CS-130 Alternator in an E23

  1. #1
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    GM Delco CS-130 Alternator in an E23

    As part of the major re-hab on my 1979 733i I upgraded the stock alternator to a Delco CS-130. This alternator puts out 105 amps and you can buy them all day long for less than $100. It is pretty much a drop in replacement; the only modification needed was to relocate the alternator adjust bracket to the outermost bolt on the power-steering pump. Many of the alternators come with the serpentine belt pulley, the one I ordered (see below) has the needed v-belt pulley.

    I have put these on almost all my vintage cars for years and have never had an issue. I currently have one on my MGB and have put them on old Range Rovers, Jaguars, and an old Mercedes. They are very small and put out a lot of amps, especially at idle.

    You only need to connect two of the four wires on the alternator pig-tail. The wires are marked P, L, I (or F), and S. S (Sense) is the big red wire; it goes to the battery terminal on the back of the alternator. L (Light)) is for the charge indicator light on the dash; I connected this to the blue wire from the old alternator. I also ran a new 4 gauge wire from the battery post on the alternator to the positive battery terminal.

    This alternator came out of a 1991 Chevy V3500 pickup with the 6.2L Diesel engine. You can find other versions but this one has the v-belt pulley and the adjusting lug in the correct position.

    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    Interesting tip.

    Off topic, what radiator is that?

  3. #3
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    That's my next post when I finish it up. My radiator was leaking and I couldn't find one, so I put in a Griffin all aluminum radiator. I am waiting on a few more parts to finish up that job.

  4. #4
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    Thumbs up

    Cool, another alternator that works!

    I really like the Bosch AL129X (115A) as it is identical to the OE AL46X (80A)/AL49X (90A) for a drop in fit. I have it on the POS 05/85 and a bunch of my W126 MBs. They are $130 + $40 core on Autozone.com before a 20% rebate with free freight.
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  5. #5
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    Ah, I thought I recognized your name from Peach Parts.

  6. #6
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    Yessir, I am known there too by this handle.
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hit Man X View Post
    Cool, another alternator that works!

    I really like the Bosch AL129X (115A) as it is identical to the OE AL46X (80A)/AL49X (90A) for a drop in fit. I have it on the POS 05/85 and a bunch of my W126 MBs. They are $130 + $40 core on Autozone.com before a 20% rebate with free freight.
    Hey Hitman,

    I need to replace my alt. currently have the AL46X on my 10/84 735i. Will the above mentioned AL129X take the pully/fan from my AL46X since Autozone only sells them with no pully/fan attached? I also see that the AL129 does not have rubber bushings as the AL46 does. Is this an issue?

    Thanks,

    Eric

  8. #8
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    Thumbs up

    No rubber bushings is a good thing for a few reasons. First, they are not there to rot out and allow the alt to cock to one side ever again. Next reason is you are not dependent on that ground wire to ground the alt, it automatically grounds itself when you install it.

    If you do not have impact tools, here is a perfect excuse to justify it to yourself to swap the pulley and fan. Also, pulley diameters seem to be all over the map from 3" (!) to about 2.5" If you have a 3", do yourself a favor and procure at least a 2.5" or find a 2.3" in the aftermarket. This will give you better charge down at low RPM which is great for city driving in the months where your HVAC is on full blast.

    http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...for-more-power
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hit Man X View Post
    No rubber bushings is a good thing for a few reasons. First, they are not there to rot out and allow the alt to cock to one side ever again. Next reason is you are not dependent on that ground wire to ground the alt, it automatically grounds itself when you install it.

    If you do not have impact tools, here is a perfect excuse to justify it to yourself to swap the pulley and fan. Also, pulley diameters seem to be all over the map from 3" (!) to about 2.5" If you have a 3", do yourself a favor and procure at least a 2.5" or find a 2.3" in the aftermarket. This will give you better charge down at low RPM which is great for city driving in the months where your HVAC is on full blast.

    http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...for-more-power
    I have impact tools! And I have done your diode mod to my current alts VR. I can swap over the moded VR before I turn in the old "core" alt.

    Thanks for the info...I am off to look for a smaller diameter pulley!

  10. #10
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    I just keep old volt regs, the auto store junks the old ones anyway.

    Keep the new VR as a spare in you trunk's 'roadside repair kit'
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  11. #11
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    Good to know and great idea for an emergency kit! Thanks again!

  12. #12
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    Hey Hit Man,

    Do you have a website where I can procure a smaller (2.3" or 2.5") alternator pulley? I ordered the Autozone AL126X yesterday (ended up paying $105 and change!) and I have the 3" pulley on my old unit. I did some searching today with no luck. Might you happen to know the alternator shaft diameter? And it appears to be keyed?

    Thx!

  13. #13
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    Thumbs up

    Not handy, just a good alternator shop should have them.

    Pretty sure the shaft is about 16mm
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  14. #14
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    Ok, Thx for the info!

  15. #15
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    Hitman,

    New AL129X alt received and installed with bumped up VR. Voltage was about 15V with fully charged battery. Still looking for a little smaller pulley, have not found one yet. It is nice to see the alt perpendicular to the belt, no more bushing rot to deal with!
    IMG_20150718_143933329_HDR.jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by pennybond; 08-11-2015 at 03:35 PM.

  16. #16
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    Kickass, glad it worked out!
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  17. #17
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    Wanted to revive this and see if anyone found a source for a pulley <3”?
    1993 M5 Canadian
    4.0L stroker

    1984 745i

  18. #18
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    I’m looking into a new higher amp alternator right now. I googled 2.5” alternator pulley v type and got several. They are also called overdrive pulleys.

    I Haven’t ordered one yet but I am looking at the Al129x to cover the modest stereo amp and add some oomph to the system. I noticed at idle things would dim or slow down a little. If anyone knows something I need to know about the pulley or the alternator please chime in.

  19. #19
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    Just picked up a AL129X but the mounting holes are too big for the mounting bolts but not big enough for the rubber bushings/metal sleeves. Has anyone had this problem? Any solutions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

  20. #20
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    Yah, you have to reclock the AL129X too. I think I got to the point of combining a B35 alternator bracket with a B34 PS bracket and having them TIG welded together.
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hit Man X View Post
    Yah, you have to reclock the AL129X too. I think I got to the point of combining a B35 alternator bracket with a B34 PS bracket and having them TIG welded together.
    Hit Man, that seems like a lot of work. Looks like I'm headed to TIG welding class.

    Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

  22. #22
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    It is a quick line to weld. Easy.

    The later 90A alternator with solid bushings is a good stopgap
    I make E23 parts.
    09/1983 745i (stolen spring '13 around Houston, TX Achatgruen on nutria buffalo. 8481080)
    10/1984 745i
    11/1984 745i
    11/1984 735i (10:1-265/6)
    Ford, MB, and GM round out the pack.



  23. #23
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    The 90A is what I'll probably go with for now.

    Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

  24. #24
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    al49x alternator

    Quote Originally Posted by Hit Man X View Post
    Cool, another alternator that works!

    I really like the Bosch AL129X (115A) as it is identical to the OE AL46X (80A)/AL49X (90A) for a drop in fit. I have it on the POS 05/85 and a bunch of my W126 MBs. They are $130 + $40 core on Autozone.com before a 20% rebate with free freight.

    Hitman I just put a AL49X on my 85 735I euro and it makes noise at idle (like its charging its ass off ) I checked voltage and its around 14.35 at idle if I bring the Rs up to 1000 or 1100 it goes away I checked all my wiring and its good I also made sure the batt terminals are clean I thinking the pulley is to small for idle or I just got a bad alt its an ultima from orielly? pulley is off of my AL46x ps what does a AL129x come off of or come from the factory on.? thanks JIM.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hit Man X View Post
    Not handy, just a good alternator shop should have them.

    Pretty sure the shaft is about 16mm
    Hi Hit Man, from my place I could only order online, but still cannot find a correct 2.5" pulley, I see some list the bore 16mm and some 17mm, and cannot find one that fits 13mm V-belts. It would be great if someone can point where to buy the correct brand and size of the 2.5" pulley~

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