Saturday, January 21, 2012

Electrocution

Well, maybe the title's an overstatement, but what a fiasco that alternator conversion is.  Yes, it is a bolt-on larger alternator, but there are a few things to be aware of if you're thinking of doing this mod.

First, the alternator bolt holes need to be drilled out to a little over 10mm to mount on the diesel engine - no big deal.

Next, if you try to mount the alternator onto the engine with the adjuster attached to it, it can't swing past the heater hose/thermostat housing.  Trying to attach that adjuster bracket after the alternator is in is torture, but I eventually did it.  One big obstacle was that the adjuster has a threaded rod welded to one of the mounting bolts - this had to be installed somehow while holding a steel spacer in place with a magnet.

Once in, there isn't enough clearance to swing the alternator in to allow the adjuster nut back onto the threaded rod.  Once everything is bolted in hand-tight you'll find that the clearance issue will show up again when you try to install your belts.  Ideally, they need to be about 10mm longer I think.  Ultimately I was able to get them back on but only with great time and difficulty.

That eBay ad for the 120 amp alternator had me going... it looked like 'unbolt old alternator & bolt in the new one.'  This one is a more reliable 90 amp with the same housing.   I hope it's worth it.

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