Alternator Question
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
a couple of things that effect the life of an Alt would be low quality of rebuilds, Load on alt, does car sit a while between runs? might want to think about a battery tender, Do you drive car more at night then days, anything that would cause a heavy load, And stupid as this is bad tenisoner, can put to much pressure on bearings. Not sure what amp alt you have but you could always increase the amps this should help prolong the life.Thing is the older the vehicle usaly the amps reguired to operate increase causing more load on alt making it work harder. these are just a couple of things that shorten the life there are a lot more but just some things to think about. Think for the most part it boils down to the parts the rebuilder puts into them.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 19
Jim if you use the search feature of this site you should be able to find allot of posts on alt. problems. I replaced my 91 alt. with one from a 94 LT1 Z28 eng. A much better alt. in my opinion. You have to mod. the alt. mounting lug and make a new rear support brace. This is very easy to do, shave about 1/8 off the lug and bend the ends of tube to the right angle and drill mount holes in the flat/bent ends of the tube. I learned of this mod on this Forum, and it works great!!!
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I replaced my 91 alt. with one from a 94 LT1 Z28 eng. A much better alt. in my opinion. You have to mod. the alt. mounting lug and make a new rear support brace. This is very easy to do, shave about 1/8 off the lug and bend the ends of tube to the right angle and drill mount holes in the flat/bent ends of the tube. I learned of this mod on this Forum, and it works great!!!
That's the CS-144 Alternator upgrade I referred to in your other post in the General section.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Jim if you use the search feature of this site you should be able to find allot of posts on alt. problems. I replaced my 91 alt. with one from a 94 LT1 Z28 eng. A much better alt. in my opinion. You have to mod. the alt. mounting lug and make a new rear support brace. This is very easy to do, shave about 1/8 off the lug and bend the ends of tube to the right angle and drill mount holes in the flat/bent ends of the tube. I learned of this mod on this Forum, and it works great!!!
Thanks to all.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
What exactly is failing? Bearings, diodes, voltage regulator? Knowing what is failing will point you why. Have you been jump-starting other vehicles? You can blow diodes that way.
As for rebuilding, find a local rebuilder-the actual shop that does it. If you are not sure what is failing, they will be able to tell you when they rebuild it. They can rebuild it better than a new one, and it will cost less, just as jfb said.
As for rebuilding, find a local rebuilder-the actual shop that does it. If you are not sure what is failing, they will be able to tell you when they rebuild it. They can rebuild it better than a new one, and it will cost less, just as jfb said.
