...Err...Maybe I'm just having a lateral moment, but since AIR pump noises and/or removal has been on my mind for the last 24hrs;

What would be wrong with removing AIR pump and putting in it's place, the alternator? Obviously one would need a new, shorter belt (Maybe measured with some string) but given that the alt could, if not in the exact same spot, be 'slid' along the original braket (No probs with alignment) and at the right point (Allowing for enough belt contact with the waterpump pulley) the upper alt. bolt hole could be drilled then a simple straight length of steel (or whatever) be added to the bottom for support attached at one of the former air pump mounting points?

I should have measured things today when I had mine off.
Would sure beat paying $$$ for a purpose built bracket or stuffing around too much AND (For the minority of us who LIKE the original bracket) one could keep it, or at least if the empty space annoyed you; cut it off and grind smooth the edges and maybe have it polished or paint it...

Has anyone tried this?


...Your thoughts,
~Steve Mack :conehead

 

Best thing to do for no $$$ is to remove all the hoses/air tubes and the diverter box that go to the air pump and the exhaust manifolds, and all the associated brakets. You can cap off the manifold air tubes with 50 cent pipe caps from the hardware store. Removal of this alone will make your engine bay 100% cleaner and easier to work in. You can safely remove the two electrical connectors in the divertor box and tie them back somewhere without throwing any codes. If you like you can also take the air pump hole to the diverter box and block it off on the air pump, and place a smaller pulley on the now nonfunctional air pump, although the air pump really doesn't have much reciprocating mass to begin with. If your air pump is making noise you can take it apart and remove the blades that move the air and that may stop the squeaking. The main benefit is the cleaner engine bay which you can accomplish by using the steps above without having to buy an air pump eliminator kit or wasting time engineering an alternative that wont really give you alot of gain.

Hope this helps... :cheers:

Although I have the air pump removal kit myself I have assisted 3 others with L98 Corvettes do this process. Also, removing the air pump doesn't seem to have a significant effect on emissions, and you should pass easily if your engine is in good running order.


[Modified by Wheelman, 4:35 PM 8/14/2003]

 

The alternator is not that easy to reposition. There are two brackets that attach to the back of it that you would have to fabricate along with one for the top.

 

Thanks a lot for your help!

Likewise for everyone else who's replied; I'll let you know how I go.

Steve :cheers:

 

Thanks for that; appreciate your thoughts, although I supect that it does infact have a degree of reciprocating mass, so If I end up going that way, I guess (I'll either do it my self or pay someone to do it); I'd probably elect to remove the drum and have an empty canister with just the front bearing supporting the pulley. I can get this (or a full rekitted rebuild) done here in Brisbane from a firm I've posted elsewhere.

:cheers: