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On the engine in my street rod I disassembled the alternator so that I could totally grind down a nd smooth the case of the alternator and then painted it to match the rest of the engine. It had a smooth billet look. It looked great but it was an awful lot of work.
Saw an all-black one somewhere (think it was Summitt), but it was damn pricey. If I get bored or the original one goes out, I may get a hold of a local company that can pull it apart, coat it black, rebuild it, and I'll slap that in. I'm not a big fan of chrome or too much shiny under the hood.
I took mine apart, sanded all the flash and casting marks off it and had it powder coated satin black along with the alt bracket and my throttle body. It was a lot of work getting the pieces smooth but it was quality time none the less. If you do take it apart make sure to have a giant soldering iron and replace the bushings/bearings while you're in there.
I have had the covers before. Fist the chrome and then the carbon fiber. The problem I had, was that is exactly what it looked like, a cover to hide something. I remove the CF covers on the alternator and belt tension pulley the other day. I used a green Scotch Brite on the alternator an it looks a lot nicer. I plan to pull the belt tension pulley this week and work on it. The alternator to do completely will be down the road.
Now if there was a cover that actually conformed to the shape of the alternator that might be different, but the one I have iis the standard cover that is nothing more then a flat piece that goes over the top and then angles down.
I have had the covers before. Fist the chrome and then the carbon fiber. The problem I had, was that is exactly what it looked like, a cover to hide something. I remove the CF covers on the alternator and belt tension pulley the other day. I used a green Scotch Brite on the alternator an it looks a lot nicer. I plan to pull the belt tension pulley this week and work on it. The alternator to do completely will be down the road.
Now if there was a cover that actually conformed to the shape of the alternator that might be different, but the one I have iis the standard cover that is nothing more then a flat piece that goes over the top and then angles down.
That's what I'm thinking as well. Out of the all the covers I've seen, I like this perforated one the best, but for $150.00 I can get my alternator powder coated or pay for a good chunk of getting it chromed.
I took mine apart, sanded all the flash and casting marks off it and had it powder coated satin black along with the alt bracket and my throttle body. It was a lot of work getting the pieces smooth but it was quality time none the less. If you do take it apart make sure to have a giant soldering iron and replace the bushings/bearings while you're in there.
Nice job! Looks great! Any pics of the components reinstalled in the engine bay?
Sounds good,,,but what about the grunge that is getting brushed off and going into the alternator?? Mine is pretty oxidized.
I used my shopvac to remove the debris. Actually, you will very amazed at the lack of such material. Very fine and very little material comes off, just a polishing action is all that is really happening.
I used my shopvac to remove the debris. Actually, you will very amazed at the lack of such material. Very fine and very little material comes off, just a polishing action is all that is really happening.
Good luck
Thanks,,gonna give this some serious thought. I have some liquid aluminum/soft metal polis(that is non abrasive) and a finish protectant that gives a long term protection that I might use after the cleaning!!