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That Ugly Alternator

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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:31 PM
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Default That Ugly Alternator

Let's face it. It really is like a zit on the otherwise nice face of the well-designed C5 engine bay.

I'm considering covers, powder coating, etc. so please provide some ideas and pictures.

Although I like some covers, I really think a good polish or paint would also do the trick.


Last edited by MSG C5; Feb 11, 2012 at 10:08 AM.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:35 PM
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some where in the forum i saw a write up of alt clean up, i think they were talking about some kind of alum polish/cleaner.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:39 PM
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I was thinking gloss black powdercoat for mine
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:48 PM
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I covered mine up with a stainless cover.
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 11:51 PM
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Consider getting a chrome one. Would add a lot of bling to the engine bay.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 12:05 AM
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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.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 12:22 AM
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Here's a great way to improve the look of the alternator and brackets:

Get a green ScotchBrite pad, and spend ten minutes polishing the area. You will be amazed at the results, and for almost no investment.

Clean up is just as easy, simply wipe down with a clean microfibre towel.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by ALLEGRO
Here's a great way to improve the look of the alternator and brackets:

Get a green ScotchBrite pad, and spend ten minutes polishing the area. You will be amazed at the results, and for almost no investment.

Clean up is just as easy, simply wipe down with a clean microfibre towel.
Sounds good,,,but what about the grunge that is getting brushed off and going into the alternator?? Mine is pretty oxidized.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 02:45 AM
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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.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 08:24 AM
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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.





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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 10:03 AM
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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.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by TR6speed
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.

http://www.corvettemods.com/Corvette...ed_p_5306.html
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Munch
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?
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by itzza427
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.

Good luck
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by ALLEGRO
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!!
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 05:19 PM
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I don't want to hi-jack your thread but I have powdercoated black one for sale. PM if interested.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by SLIK04
I don't want to hi-jack your thread but I have powdercoated black one for sale. PM if interested.
That might very well what the OP is looking for.
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To That Ugly Alternator

Old Feb 11, 2012 | 07:37 PM
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Several years ago I took mine apart, ground off the unused lugs, and had the case polished.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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This is what you need






I can have one custom etched for you or plain.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 08:13 PM
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hey i just sanded mine with sanding sponge medium and painted the center came out good
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