Upgraded Alternator...Pics...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Upgraded Alternator...Pics...
With everyone talking about alternators lately, I decided the share pictures of my alternator job. They may load slowly as I have a slow DSL upload connection.
Basically, I removed the POS stock 1987 alternator ( that wouldn't keep voltage up at idle ) and I replaced it with a CS144 for a 1996 model car. The new alternator was only $129 from Discount Auto, and I had to pay the $25 core charge since I did not have the same model to return as a core.
It was well worth it. It cured my idle voltage problems for good and if I decide to sell the car, I can always put the stock one back on.
This is a side by side so you can get an idea of the difference in size between the two alternators. I could not re-use the alternator to exhaust manifold tie bracket. I may fabricate a bracket that will fit the new alternator some day, but it's absence does not seem to cause a problem.
I did have to replace the wire terminal for the charging wire, the CS144 uses a larger diameter terminal.
Next is a close up of the bottom edge of the top bracket. It actually is resting on the top of the alternator body. I had to clearence file the bracket because it would not sit low enough to allow the ear lobe bolt holes to line up.
Next is a picture to see the difference in thickness of the upper ear mount lobes between the two different models. I used a flat file to remove the amount of material necessary from my upper bracket to make the new one fit. I only filed the back side of the bracket, as the front side needs to remain stock, as that is the edge that sets belt alignment.
You might notice I used the stock 1987 upper bolt. The CS144 alternator upper ear is threaded for a larger bolt. I simply pushed the smaller diameter 1987 upper bolt through the hole and tightened it into the stock upper bracket threads.
[Modified by BBA, 1:10 PM 10/14/2002]
Basically, I removed the POS stock 1987 alternator ( that wouldn't keep voltage up at idle ) and I replaced it with a CS144 for a 1996 model car. The new alternator was only $129 from Discount Auto, and I had to pay the $25 core charge since I did not have the same model to return as a core.
It was well worth it. It cured my idle voltage problems for good and if I decide to sell the car, I can always put the stock one back on.
This is a side by side so you can get an idea of the difference in size between the two alternators. I could not re-use the alternator to exhaust manifold tie bracket. I may fabricate a bracket that will fit the new alternator some day, but it's absence does not seem to cause a problem.
I did have to replace the wire terminal for the charging wire, the CS144 uses a larger diameter terminal.
Next is a close up of the bottom edge of the top bracket. It actually is resting on the top of the alternator body. I had to clearence file the bracket because it would not sit low enough to allow the ear lobe bolt holes to line up.
Next is a picture to see the difference in thickness of the upper ear mount lobes between the two different models. I used a flat file to remove the amount of material necessary from my upper bracket to make the new one fit. I only filed the back side of the bracket, as the front side needs to remain stock, as that is the edge that sets belt alignment.
You might notice I used the stock 1987 upper bolt. The CS144 alternator upper ear is threaded for a larger bolt. I simply pushed the smaller diameter 1987 upper bolt through the hole and tightened it into the stock upper bracket threads.
[Modified by BBA, 1:10 PM 10/14/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Upgraded Alternator...Pics... (-=Jeff=-)
BBA,
Can you give me a voltage reading with the following situation:
Idling in drive(600-750rpm) with the headlights on. Right now, mine is around 11.5 in that situation. (Stock alternator, also have an underdrive crank pulley and no overdrive on the alternator) Thanks! :cheers:
Can you give me a voltage reading with the following situation:
Idling in drive(600-750rpm) with the headlights on. Right now, mine is around 11.5 in that situation. (Stock alternator, also have an underdrive crank pulley and no overdrive on the alternator) Thanks! :cheers:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Upgraded Alternator...Pics... (TIMSPEED)
My car does not idle at 600 RPM, mine idles at 500, but, when idling at 500 RPM headlights on, engine fan on, AC fan medium, volts is 13.8, at 600 RPM it's 13.9-14.0
Like I said, it cured my idle voltage problem.
With the stock alt, my car would actually drain voltage at idle with both engine fans on and AC on, until the car dies because of low voltage.
Like I said, it cured my idle voltage problem.
With the stock alt, my car would actually drain voltage at idle with both engine fans on and AC on, until the car dies because of low voltage.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Mililani HI
Re: Upgraded Alternator...Pics... (BBA)
Do you know if there's supposed to be a fusible link on that charging line from the alternator to the distribution block behind the battery? If so, what size?
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Upgraded Alternator...Pics... (pascualjr)
I replaced my alternator (105 amp) with a CS-130 ?? It's the one for a ZR-1 Vette. Got it at Discount Auto for about 75 bux.
Did the install EXACTLY as you BBA. (Filing the REAR of the tab mount).
I didn't have an idle voltage problem but the car sits a LOT and in the summer 2 of the stock alternators had died on me.
This ones been working great for 2 summers now.
Did the install EXACTLY as you BBA. (Filing the REAR of the tab mount).
I didn't have an idle voltage problem but the car sits a LOT and in the summer 2 of the stock alternators had died on me.
This ones been working great for 2 summers now.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: Upgraded Alternator...Pics... (BBA)
With everyone talking about alternators lately, I decided the share pictures of my alternator job. They may load slowly as I have a slow DSL upload connection.
Basically, I removed the POS stock 1987 alternator ( that wouldn't keep voltage up at idle ) and I replaced it with a CS144 for a 1996 model car. The new alternator was only $129 from Discount Auto, and I had to pay the $25 core charge since I did not have the same model to return as a core.
It was well worth it. It cured my idle voltage problems for good and if I decide to sell the car, I can always put the stock one back on.
This is a side by side so you can get an idea of the difference in size between the two alternators. I could not re-use the alternator to exhaust manifold tie bracket. I may fabricate a bracket that will fit the new alternator some day, but it's absence does not seem to cause a problem.
I did have to replace the wire terminal for the charging wire, the CS144 uses a larger diameter terminal.
Next is a close up of the bottom edge of the top bracket. It actually is resting on the top of the alternator body. I had to clearence file the bracket because it would not sit low enough to allow the ear lobe bolt holes to line up.
Next is a picture to see the difference in thickness of the upper ear mount lobes between the two different models. I used a flat file to remove the amount of material necessary from my upper bracket to make the new one fit. I only filed the back side of the bracket, as the front side needs to remain stock, as that is the edge that sets belt alignment.
You might notice I used the stock 1987 upper bolt. The CS144 alternator upper ear is threaded for a larger bolt. I simply pushed the smaller diameter 1987 upper bolt through the hole and tightened it into the stock upper bracket threads.
[Modified by BBA, 1:10 PM 10/14/2002]
Basically, I removed the POS stock 1987 alternator ( that wouldn't keep voltage up at idle ) and I replaced it with a CS144 for a 1996 model car. The new alternator was only $129 from Discount Auto, and I had to pay the $25 core charge since I did not have the same model to return as a core.
It was well worth it. It cured my idle voltage problems for good and if I decide to sell the car, I can always put the stock one back on.
This is a side by side so you can get an idea of the difference in size between the two alternators. I could not re-use the alternator to exhaust manifold tie bracket. I may fabricate a bracket that will fit the new alternator some day, but it's absence does not seem to cause a problem.
I did have to replace the wire terminal for the charging wire, the CS144 uses a larger diameter terminal.
Next is a close up of the bottom edge of the top bracket. It actually is resting on the top of the alternator body. I had to clearence file the bracket because it would not sit low enough to allow the ear lobe bolt holes to line up.
Next is a picture to see the difference in thickness of the upper ear mount lobes between the two different models. I used a flat file to remove the amount of material necessary from my upper bracket to make the new one fit. I only filed the back side of the bracket, as the front side needs to remain stock, as that is the edge that sets belt alignment.
You might notice I used the stock 1987 upper bolt. The CS144 alternator upper ear is threaded for a larger bolt. I simply pushed the smaller diameter 1987 upper bolt through the hole and tightened it into the stock upper bracket threads.
[Modified by BBA, 1:10 PM 10/14/2002]
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