Alternator Cover is not sticking! Told Ya so!
02-15-2009, 03:10 PM
#1
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Alternator Cover is not sticking! Told Ya so!
When I was shopping for a few mods in the engine bay, I used a vendor on here (can't remember which one) and I purchased an alternator cover. It is held in place by Velcro and at the time of purchase I asked if the Velcro would hold in the heat. "Sure it will" was the response...
OK, here are the pictures of what I did to put it in place. You will notice a screw in the cover? That was my first try and it failed miserably so I left the screw to cover the hole I made.
Take a 13mm wrench and remove the positive lead on the alternator. Hold the cover in place and rub it slightly back and forth to score a mark on the inside of the cover (drill spot) I took a 21/64 drill bit and made a hole at the marked location. Pull the rubber cover off the end of the wire. There is a stock washer that is first on, then the wire, the cover, a stainless steel washer (I drilled it to 21/64), then finally the stock nut.
NOW it will stay in place. Damn thing was bouncing around and got all boogered up from bumping things. The vendor should DRILL ALL of the covers like this for installation because that Velcro will NOT STAY SECURE in that heat.
Pictures...
If you have this part, drill it and NEVER worry about that glue letting go again!
Elmer
OK, here are the pictures of what I did to put it in place. You will notice a screw in the cover? That was my first try and it failed miserably so I left the screw to cover the hole I made.
Take a 13mm wrench and remove the positive lead on the alternator. Hold the cover in place and rub it slightly back and forth to score a mark on the inside of the cover (drill spot) I took a 21/64 drill bit and made a hole at the marked location. Pull the rubber cover off the end of the wire. There is a stock washer that is first on, then the wire, the cover, a stainless steel washer (I drilled it to 21/64), then finally the stock nut.
NOW it will stay in place. Damn thing was bouncing around and got all boogered up from bumping things. The vendor should DRILL ALL of the covers like this for installation because that Velcro will NOT STAY SECURE in that heat.
Pictures...
If you have this part, drill it and NEVER worry about that glue letting go again!
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 02-15-2009 at 05:10 PM.
02-15-2009, 03:20 PM
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No, it does not go all the way through. When you get it apart, you'll see the wire connector make perfect flush contact to metal at the alternator. The cover is holding the contact perfectly and the big washer I used gives it plenty of support. The order that I placed the parts is listed. The wire connector make contact under the alternator cover. The top picture shows it best. Stock nut, stainless washer, cover, the wire connector is under the cover.
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 02-15-2009 at 03:23 PM.
02-15-2009, 03:25 PM
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I just hope the vendor I used sees this and "considers" this method of mounting for his product. As I said, I just don't remember who I used. Must be the old geezer crap jumping up again.
Elmer
Elmer
02-15-2009, 03:27 PM
#6
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Seems like the generator cover would decrease the airflow and heat dissipation for the generator. Just a thought.
Anyway, your engine compartment looks very nice.
Anyway, your engine compartment looks very nice.
02-15-2009, 03:28 PM
#7
If you think the Velcro is being damaged by the heat, just imagine what's happening to the alternator, trapped under that cover. It needs free air circulation around it to prevent the insulation varnish, and the diodes, from overheating and failing. Boiling the grease out of its bearings isn't good for long component life either.
If you want to do your engine a favor, remove all that heat trapping plastic. There is no functional purpose to valve cover covers, alternator covers, battery covers, etc, etc, etc.
If you want to do your engine a favor, remove all that heat trapping plastic. There is no functional purpose to valve cover covers, alternator covers, battery covers, etc, etc, etc.
02-15-2009, 03:32 PM
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If you think the Velcro is being damaged by the heat, just imagine what's happening to the alternator, trapped under that cover. It needs free air circulation around it to prevent the insulation varnish, and the diodes, from overheating and failing. Boiling the grease out of its bearings isn't good for long component life either.
If you want to do your engine a favor, remove all that heat trapping plastic. There is no functional purpose to valve cover covers, alternator covers, battery covers, etc, etc, etc.
If you want to do your engine a favor, remove all that heat trapping plastic. There is no functional purpose to valve cover covers, alternator covers, battery covers, etc, etc, etc.
If the cover were NOW sitting down on the alternator, that might be true. However, the cover is suspended above the alternator and air can freely flow any direction it desires and the heat is not trapped into the alternator in any way. Picture 3 clearly shows a nice gap between the cover and the alternator.
Oh, and I guess you don't do shows with your car? A little bling goes a long way.
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; 02-15-2009 at 03:37 PM.
02-15-2009, 03:39 PM
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01-19-2012, 07:20 PM
#11
Race Director
The velcro holds fine, the adhesive that holds the velcro on the cover and the alternator is JUNK. The alternator cover I bought fell off the first time I drove the car. The velcro is still holding on the scratched up cover.
The same problem with the polished aluminum caps/covers. The adhesive gives due to the heat and the caps move.
Time for a re-design or a better adhesive.
The same problem with the polished aluminum caps/covers. The adhesive gives due to the heat and the caps move.
Time for a re-design or a better adhesive.
01-19-2012, 07:25 PM
#12
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The velcro holds fine, the adhesive that holds the velcro on the cover and the alternator is JUNK. The alternator cover I bought fell off the first time I drove the car. The velcro is still holding on the scratched up cover.
The same problem with the polished aluminum caps/covers. The adhesive gives due to the heat and the caps move.
Time for a re-design or a better adhesive.
The same problem with the polished aluminum caps/covers. The adhesive gives due to the heat and the caps move.
Time for a re-design or a better adhesive.
01-19-2012, 11:09 PM
#13
Race Director
I have the same fiberglass alt cover and the same problem about not sticking inplace to the alt. housing. What I did was go to Home Depot and got some 2" wide Velcro, stuck it down, still in place after two years. 
01-20-2012, 08:35 AM
#18
