Do you have to loosen the alternator before replacing it?
Loosen and remove the alternator. If you have a V-belt, the alternator must first be loosened before the V belt can be removed as the alternator provides belt tension. Install the new alternator, making sure that it fits properly and aligns with the existing bolt holes, by reversing the steps in the disassembly procedure.
Can a manual tensioner be used to replace an alternator?
The belt tensioner will only travel (swing) so far which can make installing the belt difficult. Never pry or force the belt onto the pulley. Vehicles with a manual tensioner or the belt tightens with the alternator, there should about ½ inch of deflection in the belt between the pulleys with the greatest distance between them. 7
What to do if your alternator is rusting?
On many newer engines, the tensioner may be difficult to access. After loosening the tensioner, loosen and remove the belt. Inspect the tensioner while you have the belt off and make sure its roller still spins freely and isn’t rusted.
What should I use to test my alternator?
At minimum, we recommend picking up some sort of multimeter to help test out your alternator. A multimeter is a handheld device used to measure voltage and test electrical connections. Affordable examples can be found both online or at your local auto parts store. Here’s one we love:
Is it possible to upgrade an alternator for a charging system?
Among the available charging-system alternatives, you can choose to merely upgrade to a higher output alternator within the same design as your existing alternator, or update with a later model unit with more output. The simplest would be to upgrade your current alternator. For example, Tuff Stuff Performance offers a higher output 10-DN option.
When did alternators replace generators in early Chevys?
Among the most overlooked aspects of swapping late-model engines into early Chevys is upgrading the charging system. It was in the early ’60s when alternators replaced generators. Since then, a landslide of charging system and alternator enhancements have followed.
Are there any disadvantages to one wire alternators?
Another minor disadvantage to one-wire alternators is the rotor in the alternator must achieve a certain speed to self-excite. This usually requires the driver to rev the engine to increase internal voltage to sufficiently excite the alternator to begin charging.
Can a bad alternator leave you stranded in a car?
Your vehicle’s electrical system is complex, but unless you drive a British car from the 1970s, it is generally designed to “just work.” Even so, things can go wrong, and one of the most common problems can leave you stranded, that being a bad alternator.
Can a transverse bolt be used to move an alternator?
Some alternators will have a transverse bolt that allows you to move the alternator fore-and-aft in the bracket to adjust belt tension. If not, you may need to use a cheater to keep the alternator in place and take slack out of the belt (an assistant can help here) as you tighten the mounting bolts.
What should the belt tension be on an alternator?
If not, you may need to use a cheater to keep the alternator in place and take slack out of the belt (an assistant can help here) as you tighten the mounting bolts. Check for the correct belt tension. On an older engine with a V-belt, the belt should have no more than about 1/2″ of deflection in either direction.