100M Upgrades & Impact on Value

[MikeAH100M]

The front drum brakes on my 56 100M were giving me fits. I went through 4 brake cylinders and all were junk, so I decided to convert to front discs. The kit from AH Spares was an easy conversion - only had to take a little paint off the pads to get them to fit - everything else popped right in. Now my dynamo/generator is going so am considering converting to an alternator. What I've read about the AH Spares kit is very positive along with the increased output pluses. Looked at the alternator/generator, but too expensive.

My question - what are the thoughts on the impact on the value of these conversions on a factory-built 100M? Good or bad? Braking performance and reliability have significantly improved. I would expect the same from the alternator. Both seem to be easily reversible so am saving all the old parts.

Be interested in the opinions from the Forum.

 

[roscoe]

I would think that if you sell it with the old parts , removed in working condion, that it would make no difference or perhaps be worth a tad more because of the choice for using the upgraded parts. Any person interested in concourse probably wouldn't care as long as converting back isn't a big deal. In your case it would not be. If you have a decent M unless you paint it pink or flair the fenders the bolt on bolt off changes wouldn't scare most folks off imho.

 

[MikeAH100M]

I would think that if you sell it with the old parts , removed in working condion, that it would make no difference or perhaps be worth a tad more because of the choice for using the upgraded parts. Any person interested in concourse probably wouldn't care as long as converting back isn't a big deal. In your case it would not be. If you have a decent M unless you paint it pink or flair the fenders the bolt on bolt off changes wouldn't scare most folks off imho.

Thanks. That was also my thinking but helpful to have other's thoughts. (My wife might go for pink but me . . . not so much)

 

[jimmyr]

If you would like your 100M to at least look correct under the hood, there is a company, I believe, in the UK that makes an alternator that is inside the generator housing. These look correct an I am told work very well.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I'm late to this thread--and I own an M--and would like to know what you decided to do. I would have the generator rebuilt, unless you need extra juice for an accessory or plan on driving at night a lot. I've had a couple Lucas generators rebuilt by a specialist in SoCal, but I found a local shop that could do them, except for paint (there's nothing special about them, and the shop rebuilt an old 6V, +gnd tractor generator no problem). I think the brake conversion is a good idea, and have considered it for my car.

I'm currently pondering installing a header--supposedly period-correct--but if I do I'll keep the manifold as a souvenir. If the install goes well I might check out a brake conversion.

 

[MikeAH100M]

I originally had the generator rebuilt. Output was OK but it was very "noisy", so I assumed bearings/brushes were an issue. However, the rebuild did not solve the problem. Turns out that the old guy who did Lucas rebuilds for the company here in Pittsburgh is no longer with them. I did the alternator conversion and am pleased with the results. Lights are much brighter, turning indicators flash quicker, etc. I did the brake conversion and am also pleased with the results. PS: While I was at it, also installed an electric fan . . . overheating issues have disappeared.

 

[John Turney]

I originally had the generator rebuilt. Output was OK but it was very "noisy", so I assumed bearings/brushes were an issue. However, the rebuild did not solve the problem. Turns out that the old guy who did Lucas rebuilds for the company here in Pittsburgh is no longer with them. I did the alternator conversion and am pleased with the results. Lights are much brighter, turning indicators flash quicker, etc. I did the brake conversion and am also pleased with the results. PS: While I was at it, also installed an electric fan . . . overheating issues have disappeared.

Hopefully the new alternator has enough power to run that fan.

 

[MikeAH100M]

I turned on all electrics while the fan was running and the engine was idling . . . saw no drop in light brightness or fan rpm.