Spocc

looks like the alternator is toast on my 80.

can i drive the car with out an alternator , if i do not use any electrics ?

the shop i trust to rebuild the unit is across town.

73Corvette

yes......if you have a gooooooooooood battery you might make it.....if not your up a creek without an alternator. I'd bum a ride or get a taxi....

Spocc

battery is great , even have my new spare boat battery here...

is the only draw the brake lights & starting the engine (starter motor) ?


or is there a slight draw from battery when running ?

73Corvette

There is some draw while it is running....has to get fire from somewhere, without an alternator its all on the battery....your guess would be as good as mine as how long it will run on the batt.......

'75

The distributor will use battery power to run the enigne. With a charged up battery, you could easily run a half hour or more.

Spocc

never had this situation before so thought i would put it out there.

cab fare will be $30 -40 each way ...ouch...

thanks

Spocc

i'm not a mechanic but i had a feeling there would be some draw while running.

its about 45 min freeway each way, with both battery fully charged i may be ok...

do i feel lucky ? lol

thanks again guys

Pete.

kjb13

45 minutes on the freeway??? That's a BIG town!!!!

Vette5.5

I wouldn't take a chance like that, especially in a nice car like yours. At the very least bring an extra strong battery, and some tools. Hard to believe you can't get hold of an extra transport vehicle, or just do some shipping. Why not just get an Enterprise rental car, for a day of unlimited miles.

TimAT

An 80 has HEI ignition- as battery power goes away, it's going to really start running bad.

Spocc

ya , Toronto swells to about 5million during the day

guess i have lived here too long lol

Spocc

i think you are right...time to call in a fav from a bud

good advise , thanks

Spocc

Vette 5.5 has good advise so i'm not going to do it.

BUT - some day when i am way up north , i am going to try it , to see how long it would be good - just because i'm curious.(bring a spare battery with me)

thanks again guys

noonie

A lot depends on the capacity of the battery, but I have done over 35 miles with an 350 hei with no alternator and no problems. Just didn't have to go any further.

7T1vette

You can't change it yourself or with the help of a friend? Pretty simple job with basic tool set.

Spocc

i'll pull it off but as far as the inside , alas i am lost.

thought i would take it to an alternator shop for a rebuild

SteveG75

Go to the local store and buy a replacement. They are less than $100, maybe more if you do not want to turn your original in for the core charge. Then get the original rebuilt.

Jedi926

Trying to roll that distance just on the battery is a big gamble. Throw in some variables like heavy traffic, an accident, etc and that is a recipe for disaster.

You gotta have a bro you can call one in on or go the buy a replacement and put it in.

Hate to see you get hung out on the highway with a sick ride. That happens here, and you might not find your car the way you left it.

TimAT

Alternator is a very easy rebuild. Getting the nut off the pulley so you can slide the rotor out of the front case to replace the bearing is about the most difficult part of the whole thing.

Once it's apart, everything will test (except for the regulator) with a common multimeter.

5/16 socket for the case, 3/8 socket for the stator to bridge nuts. 1/4 socket to remove the bolts for the diode trio, regulator and brush holder. THe rear case bearing drives out with a punch, the front one has 3 bolts holding it in after you get the rotor out. Pay attention to how it comes apart and it'll go back together the same way.

Vette5.5

One advantage of having a shop do the rebuild, is they'll sometimes put in a modern stator winding to up the unit amperage output for modern stereos and such. Also, they have the facilities to run/load test the unit, before customer delivery.