I was thinking this was a straight forward change over, wire wise? Gen has 3 wires and the Alt has 2 ???
any Ideas?
Rob.

The alternator with an internal regulator only has the output terminal and the small terminal for the Generator/alternator light in the speedo

the alternator will not work without the small wire going to the dash lamp.

the alternator is grounded thru the metal around it etc..

make sure you disconnect the old original generator regulator under the rear seat...

I've rewired My car so i cannot give you any wire colors..

the large wire goes from the battery to the alternator..

You can run a new heavy wire to the alternator from the battery...
or just connect the two heavy wires on the regulator together...

the Alternator stand is different to the generator stand...
an alternator will NOT fit onto a generator stand...
[a generator will fit onto an alternator stand]

also check Your fuel pump..
it may be up against the alternator...
which will cause problems...

You can buy ALTERNATOR fuel pumps...
{I use an electric fuel pump]

so there are a few things different... lol

cheers

LEE

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

it actually is pretty straight forward
there are diagrams around showing how to do it
but all u need to do is feed the main wire to the battery and the small wire to the idiot light

assuming this is on a 12 volt fat chick easiest way is remove the regulator, the large red wire that went to d+ on the genny to d+ on the reg join that to the big red/white wire coming off the battery and the old green DF wire coming from the genny conect the it to the warning light termninal on the new alt and the other end that went on the regulator join it to the blue warning light wire that used to hook to the regulator

found it

he still needs an alternator stand

and maybe a new fuel pump..

and don;'t forget an alternator fan belt..

11.3mm x `912mm

all VW shops should sell them
I know Vintage Vee Dub do..

LEE

Everything you didn't want to know :

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=50478&page=1#pid470541 

HTH
Ctefeh

OK, I've read all of the above but one thing isn't real clear to me, why do it, obviously alternators have some advantage over generators otherwise why did all vehicle manufacturers chang over about a gazillion years ago, but what is the advantage and is it worth going to all the trouble for whatever advantage?

The main advantages are higher output than the generator, (Gen. about 30amps, Early alternators 55amps, later ones around 90 amps)
and higher output at idle speed.
Also longer life (Some may argue that) There are other minor advantages.
From above post : the alternator will not work without the small wire going to the dash lamp. is not always right, the alternator has
exciter diodes which excite the alternator if warning lamp fails, but usually it has to be revved high momentarily to start charging in that case.

alternators are just more efficent
they charge all the time at a consistant voltage and higher output
not like gennys which quiet often dont charge enough at idle

thanks guys, I thought my gen had 3 wires but its only got 2, same as the alt.
I got the alt stand as well so all is cool.
thanks all for the info

I have just fitted a alternator to my 1600 and have the problem of the carby linkage rubbing the alternator,after a quick measure have found out the inlet manifold from a L BUG with a factory alternator is 20mm offset away from the alternator where the carby bolts on if that makes sense.The number on a standard manifold ends in AF but the number on the LBUG end in N so this could be a way around the problem.Im looking at going back to a 32pict carby with the offset spacer to see if that works also cheers shane.

dont know who told u bout the offset but its a load of baloney
the only difference in 1600 twin port manifolds is 73 on has larger diameter preheater pipes and 76 has twin hotspot duel preheaters

u can make it work tho ive done it a few times
bend the linkage towards the carb and grind abit off the alternator housing

volkswagen got around it by when alternators started they used a different linkage that was flipped
like this one

So i just get a carby from a beetle that has the factory fitted altenator???

So what year did alternators start in Beetles? ... and what years can they go in?

74-76 bugs had alternators

all replacement carbs have alternator style accel pump linkages on them now but the old bend and grind method i mentioned above has worked fine for plenty of ppl

thank guy for all the info, very helpfull.