Hi Dave!
>I would also like to know if anyone knows where Wilson is located....
Wilson is a very old Canadian company that was (likely still is) based out
of Winnipeg, Manitoba- they used to dominate the rebuilt auto electric
parts business here- They also used to be rather indifferent quality, maybe
thats changed, the last Wilson Rebuild I bought was a 22 amp DC Generator
for a '65 Vauxhall Viva ... for years it was very common to see the Wilson
tag on any used car's alternator/generator you ever bought up here;-)
> Does anyone have another source they would care to share?
Leece Neville and some other manufacturers carry 145 amp alternators as
Delco substitutes, its a common school bus unit. The LN and other types
often are carried by International Harvester Truck (Navistar) dealers, and
the LN has some service advantages, some of the electronic control parts
are accessible from the outside of the case as example. Prices are probably
better than you've been getting quoted, and I believe the mounts are the
same, however the pulleys may need to be checked out closely. The Leece
Neville is considered a better unit (heavy duty) compared to the Delco
generally, as LN's are upgraded in several respects. You might try at
another truck dealer or a marine service place if there is no Navistar
dealer near you, or telephone someone with a bunch of schoolbuses and ask
where they get thiers.
Some ~1990 up Cadillac applications used a Delco 145 amp unit also, things
like commercial chassis and livery package Fleetwood Brougham are a good
bet. Regular production on most 1980 up Cadillacs is a 105 amp unit that
looks like the 70 amp seventies GM alternators.
Hope this is helpful- Keep in mind the 145 amp alternators draw hellish
amounts of power thru the belt if they're really putting out the current to
charge a very flat battery, and they will glaze the belts fast if they
aren't used with either a serpentine drive, or a very good V belt setup
with lots of tension.
Brent Covey
Vancouver BC
>I would also like to know if anyone knows where Wilson is located....
Wilson is a very old Canadian company that was (likely still is) based out
of Winnipeg, Manitoba- they used to dominate the rebuilt auto electric
parts business here- They also used to be rather indifferent quality, maybe
thats changed, the last Wilson Rebuild I bought was a 22 amp DC Generator
for a '65 Vauxhall Viva ... for years it was very common to see the Wilson
tag on any used car's alternator/generator you ever bought up here;-)
> Does anyone have another source they would care to share?
Leece Neville and some other manufacturers carry 145 amp alternators as
Delco substitutes, its a common school bus unit. The LN and other types
often are carried by International Harvester Truck (Navistar) dealers, and
the LN has some service advantages, some of the electronic control parts
are accessible from the outside of the case as example. Prices are probably
better than you've been getting quoted, and I believe the mounts are the
same, however the pulleys may need to be checked out closely. The Leece
Neville is considered a better unit (heavy duty) compared to the Delco
generally, as LN's are upgraded in several respects. You might try at
another truck dealer or a marine service place if there is no Navistar
dealer near you, or telephone someone with a bunch of schoolbuses and ask
where they get thiers.
Some ~1990 up Cadillac applications used a Delco 145 amp unit also, things
like commercial chassis and livery package Fleetwood Brougham are a good
bet. Regular production on most 1980 up Cadillacs is a 105 amp unit that
looks like the 70 amp seventies GM alternators.
Hope this is helpful- Keep in mind the 145 amp alternators draw hellish
amounts of power thru the belt if they're really putting out the current to
charge a very flat battery, and they will glaze the belts fast if they
aren't used with either a serpentine drive, or a very good V belt setup
with lots of tension.
Brent Covey
Vancouver BC
