I finally got around to tackling the alternator in my "71 142E that wasn't charging the way it should. I checked the belt, and it was sort of loose, but tightening it only brought the charge up from 11.8 to 12.6 volts - not good enough. BTW, when I first noticed the problem it was charging at 13.2V, so things were deteriorating. This convinced me it was the alternator, and not the regulator.

I had assumed it was a Bosch because the regulator is Bosch, so I ordered a 55V. Bosch from FCP-Groton. However, when I liberated the old alternator I found it was a SEV/Motorola, which, for one thing, means that I'm going to have to hunt for a Bosch sheave.:-( Most likely, the Motorola is a 55V. because that's what the "71 142Es were supposed to have, but the thing has a "rebuilt" stamp on it, no Motorola label, and the guy I bought the car from has a reputation for swapping used parts around with merry abandon. "As long as it runs well enough so I can sell it", is his motto. This, combined with the charging problem I've been having, still makes me wander if the alternator is indeed a 55V or, perhaps, a 35V - mere curiosity at this point, of course, but it would be nice to know. The only marking I can find on it, besides the rebuilt stamp, is "ALL 51278". Does this mean anything to anyone here?
Bob S.