Alternator

Datsun 510 was first fitted with a lightweight 35 AMP Hitachi alternator. In mid-1971 it switched to a 50 AMP unit. These alternators will usually last 10-15 years or more than 100,000 miles. The only normal maintainence is to replace the brushes when the dashboard alternator light starts flickering. The alternator uses an external Voltage regulator.

= Interchange = Strict interchange:
 * Alternator (35 AMP model)
 * 510 1968-early 1971 USA
 * 521 1969-early 1971 USA
 * 620 1973-1979 USA
 * B110 1971-1973 USA
 * Alternator (50 AMP model)
 * F10 1976-1977 USA
 * 510 Late 1971 USA
 * 521 Late 1971 USA
 * 620 1973-1979 USA

Loose interchange: Many kinds of alternators. See Upgrade section below.

Loose interchange: Many kinds of alternators. See Upgrade section below.

= Upgrades = If you are running high-power headlights, off-road lighting systems, or high-power stereo gear, using a high output alternator is called for. Or, if you need to replace the 510 alternator and have free or inexpensive access to different alternators, you might consider a swap. Lastly you might have a bad Voltage regulator, and by swapping to an internally-regulated alternator reliability increases since these use a solid-state (no moving parts) regulator.

There are two major considerations in a swap:
 * 1) Physical swap. How does it bolt to the L16 engine?
 * 2) Electrical swap. How will the new alternator be connected to the wiring?

For swap info, see wiki.datsun1200.com Alternator Swap info.