Does anyone know if brushes from an externally regulated alternator will swap into an 80's alternator?

The parts store used to have a bucket of brush packs, now they are "special order"

I realize the holster may be a little different in shape, but will the physical brushes work?

 

Not a direct fit to any internal alt. 80's had a few different types of alts. 80's is a vague description. If you remove the early external brush along with the lead from the part it attaches to and solder it to the other brush mounting metal, it will work. This is for a 10dn brush (external) to a 10 SI brush (internal). This will not work for the cs130 alts which were also used in the 80's. There is no need for this type of McGiver repair as these brushes are readily available. Try another parts store or ebay. If you can't find them I could send you some. This is still the USA please don't try to fix it like that. In Cuba they may fix it like that, but here we don't have to resort to that type of fix YET.

 

I remember sanding down shop vac brushes to put in my B&D circular saw - worked great!
If you are referring to the 12si unit that may be in your Delta, they are still avaialable. I got a set recently at Oreilys. Actually it was a complete rebuild kit, but I only needed the reg for my 86 CS. Easy alt to work on.

 

This has had me chuckling all morning. I found the brushes at another store. I suppose my post was more of a curious , if the apocalypse comes can I? type of post.

I apologize for thinking out loud on here.

 

J,

I found these at rock auto, using my car. Should be the same alternator:

1983 OLDSMOBILE 98 REGENCY 5.0L 307cid V8 4BBL (Y) OHV : Electrical : Alternator / Generator Brush WikiPriceSTANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # RX119 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers}
70 or 85 Amp Alternator
$4.84Add to Cart STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # RX103 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers}
42, 55 or 63 Amp
78 Amp
$6.56Add to Cart AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 5A1015 {#1986583, 88921211}
Exc. 70, 85, 80, 97, 100, 120 Amp.
$6.94Add to Cart ACDELCO Part # D766 {#01984462}
BRUSH,GEN 37,42,56,78 AMP; W/HLDR (Only 4 Remaining)
$29.79Add to Cart ACDELCO Part # D741 {#19106440}
BRUSH KIT,GEN 4 DOORS; 42, 55, 63 OR 78 AMP
BRUSH KIT,GEN 2 DOORS; 42, 55, 63 OR 78 AMP

Also, the other day, I was at an ACE hardware, and they had a Servalite bin with all kinds of brushes. You might try that, too.