Alternator Replacement on 92 question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 10
From: Fernandina Beach Florida
Alternator Replacement on 92 question
It appears the alternator on my 92 LT1 has gone south. I wasn't sure if I wanted to bother with changing it myself or have the dealer do it. When I called the dealer they said it would be two hours labor + parts. Now the next time I change out an alternator on an LT1 will be the first time I've done it, but how can it be two hours labor? Am I missing something? Is there something more than disconnecting the old, remove the Serpentine belt, unbolt the old one and reverse the process to install the new one?
Thanks! Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks! Any advise would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
2 hours!!!!!!
Probably take you about an hour, biggest issue is the brackets and stuff that hold the alternator and AC compressor on. The Serpentine belt is fairly easy, takes a 3/8 square drive on the tensioner. I was able to use a 3/8 drive ratch (short handle) YMMMV.
Remember where each of the brakets are and where they go back.
Probably take you about an hour, biggest issue is the brackets and stuff that hold the alternator and AC compressor on. The Serpentine belt is fairly easy, takes a 3/8 square drive on the tensioner. I was able to use a 3/8 drive ratch (short handle) YMMMV.
Remember where each of the brakets are and where they go back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
It appears the alternator on my 92 LT1 has gone south. I wasn't sure if I wanted to bother with changing it myself or have the dealer do it. When I called the dealer they said it would be two hours labor + parts. Now the next time I change out an alternator on an LT1 will be the first time I've done it, but how can it be two hours labor? Am I missing something? Is there something more than disconnecting the old, remove the Serpentine belt, unbolt the old one and reverse the process to install the new one?
Thanks! Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks! Any advise would be appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Toledo Ohio
I would not go to the dealer for an alt.! You just described how to do it, half hour tops. I'm no mechanic, but I just had mine off to change my valve covers. Piece of cake. I'm sure anyone can tackle this. Good luck!
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
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From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Avoid the "stealership" at all costs! You can do this job yourself. Get a FSM or Haynes manual and learn about your car. They're alot of things you can repair yourself to save money. Enjoy! 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Welcome to the world of dealership flag hours. The amount of time the book says to charge for a repair. The service tech gets paid for 2 hours for that job no matter how long it takes him. This is how service techs rack up 100 hours only working 40. The more efficient the tech the more money he makes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 10
From: Fernandina Beach Florida
I've got the Service Manual. Sometimes I work on my car and sometimes I don't. The labor price the dealer quoted made my decision easier. Next question... Anyone got any advice on which alternator to buy? A lady at work has a husband that works in the parts dept at a local GM dealer and he gets me good prices on factory parts. Should I go with the factory replacement or aftermarket? Every alternator I've ever bought was a rebuilt unit from one of the major auto parts chains. Opinions?
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Tip: If you are doing it with the engine hot don't lay a wrench on the plenum and then pick it up later with your bare hand.
If you forget and pick it up make sure you quickly toss it to the buddy that's watching you do it.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 10
From: Fernandina Beach Florida
Maybe a 20 minute job if you're serious about it.
Tip: If you are doing it with the engine hot don't lay a wrench on the plenum and then pick it up later with your bare hand.
If you forget and pick it up make sure you quickly toss it to the buddy that's watching you do it.
Tip: If you are doing it with the engine hot don't lay a wrench on the plenum and then pick it up later with your bare hand.
If you forget and pick it up make sure you quickly toss it to the buddy that's watching you do it.
BTW, Blue... I'm on my second quasar convertible. The first was a 90 with saddle interior and tan top. The current one is a 92 with white interior and white top. They sandwiched a 99 magnetic red convertible with oak interior and tan top. The 99 was beautiful, but had all of the issues ever seen on C5's . I decided I was a C4 guy for life.
Last edited by Quasar21; Apr 24, 2007 at 09:54 PM. Reason: addition
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
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From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I've got the Service Manual. Sometimes I work on my car and sometimes I don't. The labor price the dealer quoted made my decision easier. Next question... Anyone got any advice on which alternator to buy? A lady at work has a husband that works in the parts dept at a local GM dealer and he gets me good prices on factory parts. Should I go with the factory replacement or aftermarket? Every alternator I've ever bought was a rebuilt unit from one of the major auto parts chains. Opinions?
I replaced the alternator on my '85 shortly after I bought it with a Duralast unit from Auto-Zone. I kept the car almost 5 years. When I got rid of it, the alternator was still working fine. I can't vouch for a unit for a LT1.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Remove the serp belt, 5 minutes.
There is a small bracket that spans the AC/Alt to the manifold. That takes all of 10 minutes to remove.
There are 2 more bolts that hold the alternator to the bracket. 5 minutes. Remove the hot wire from the alt and tape it off (this saves the battery disconnect). BE CAREFUL! The stud that holds the hot wire can get ignorant. I would hit it with PB Blaster.
Remove alt. Reverse procedure.
I figure 40 minutes, tops. 2 hours? someone is smoking crack.
There is a small bracket that spans the AC/Alt to the manifold. That takes all of 10 minutes to remove.
There are 2 more bolts that hold the alternator to the bracket. 5 minutes. Remove the hot wire from the alt and tape it off (this saves the battery disconnect). BE CAREFUL! The stud that holds the hot wire can get ignorant. I would hit it with PB Blaster.
Remove alt. Reverse procedure.
I figure 40 minutes, tops. 2 hours? someone is smoking crack.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 10
From: Fernandina Beach Florida
Remove the serp belt, 5 minutes.
There is a small bracket that spans the AC/Alt to the manifold. That takes all of 10 minutes to remove.
There are 2 more bolts that hold the alternator to the bracket. 5 minutes. Remove the hot wire from the alt and tape it off (this saves the battery disconnect). BE CAREFUL! The stud that holds the hot wire can get ignorant. I would hit it with PB Blaster.
Remove alt. Reverse procedure.
I figure 40 minutes, tops. 2 hours? someone is smoking crack.
There is a small bracket that spans the AC/Alt to the manifold. That takes all of 10 minutes to remove.
There are 2 more bolts that hold the alternator to the bracket. 5 minutes. Remove the hot wire from the alt and tape it off (this saves the battery disconnect). BE CAREFUL! The stud that holds the hot wire can get ignorant. I would hit it with PB Blaster.
Remove alt. Reverse procedure.
I figure 40 minutes, tops. 2 hours? someone is smoking crack.
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
As an alternative, you can look in the Yellow Pages for alternator repair. I had mine gone through with a complete rebuild including bearings for not a lot if money....and a 2 hr turn around to boot.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
Dealers and most shops use a FLAT RATE book. Look up the job, the book gives the time to charge. Most Dealers pay their mechanics by FLAT RATE, whatever is in the book is what the man gets paid for the job. If it takes him 10 minutes or 10 hours he gets the rate in the book.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Then remove the tape and attach accordingly.
The only time battery disconnecting is required is if the hot wire is stuck on the alternator stud. If that is the case, a slipping wrench would be bad.
I also put a touch of antiseize on that stud... it's so damned annoying to remove when the ring connector corrodes to the stud.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
In 03 Ragtop's driveway in a very light rain. 
87 Ragtop had the honor of catching the wrench.
I was OK with the Quasar Blue but wasn't that crazy about it.
I changed over to the chrome sawblades and it really brought the color to life. I had more than one person ask if I'd gotten the car repainted.
87 Ragtop had the honor of catching the wrench.
I was OK with the Quasar Blue but wasn't that crazy about it.
I changed over to the chrome sawblades and it really brought the color to life. I had more than one person ask if I'd gotten the car repainted.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 10
From: Fernandina Beach Florida
In 03 Ragtop's driveway in a very light rain.
87 Ragtop had the honor of catching the wrench.
I was OK with the Quasar Blue but wasn't that crazy about it.
I changed over to the chrome sawblades and it really brought the color to life. I had more than one person ask if I'd gotten the car repainted.
87 Ragtop had the honor of catching the wrench.
I was OK with the Quasar Blue but wasn't that crazy about it.
I changed over to the chrome sawblades and it really brought the color to life. I had more than one person ask if I'd gotten the car repainted.
