C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Alternator

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:36 PM
  #1  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default Alternator

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.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:39 PM
  #2  
73Corvette's Avatar
73Corvette
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Default

Originally Posted by 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.
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....
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:47 PM
  #3  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

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 ?
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:51 PM
  #4  
73Corvette's Avatar
73Corvette
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Default

Originally Posted by 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 ?
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.......
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:53 PM
  #5  
'75's Avatar
'75
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Default

The distributor will use battery power to run the enigne. With a charged up battery, you could easily run a half hour or more.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:54 PM
  #6  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

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

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

thanks
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 10:16 PM
  #7  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by '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.
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.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 10:39 PM
  #8  
kjb13's Avatar
kjb13
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Bausman PA
Default

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

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 10:43 PM
  #9  
Vette5.5's Avatar
Vette5.5
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Default

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.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2012 | 10:44 PM
  #10  
TimAT's Avatar
TimAT
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

An 80 has HEI ignition- as battery power goes away, it's going to really start running bad.
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 12:06 AM
  #11  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by kjb13
45 minutes on the freeway??? That's a BIG town!!!!
ya , Toronto swells to about 5million during the day

guess i have lived here too long lol
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 12:07 AM
  #12  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

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

good advise , thanks
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 12:11 AM
  #13  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by TimAT
An 80 has HEI ignition- as battery power goes away, it's going to really start running bad.
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
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 12:31 AM
  #14  
noonie's Avatar
noonie
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 01:30 AM
  #15  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Default

You can't change it yourself or with the help of a friend? Pretty simple job with basic tool set.
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 02:18 AM
  #16  
Spocc's Avatar
Spocc
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
You can't change it yourself or with the help of a friend? Pretty simple job with basic tool set.
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
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 07:45 AM
  #17  
SteveG75's Avatar
SteveG75
Race Director
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Default

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.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Alternator

Old May 1, 2012 | 10:35 AM
  #18  
Jedi926's Avatar
Jedi926
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 11:37 AM
  #19  
TimAT's Avatar
TimAT
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 1, 2012 | 11:53 AM
  #20  
Vette5.5's Avatar
Vette5.5
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Default

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.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:23 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE