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Topic: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (1/9)
2/20/15 8:08pm

Vman73
Former Member
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Gig Harbor, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.

Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405

So I made the trade of the weekend a few weeks ago at the PNW Chevy/Corvette Swap meet in Puyallup. Swapped a bunch of extra parts for a correct date coded 61 amp alternator for my '73. It's condition was perfect for my car but it clearly needed a rebuild, the front bearing was a bit crunchy - but no biggie.

Everything came apart fine until I got to the front housing/bearing. Soaked in penetrating oil for the next three days then tapped patiently with a substantial plastic hammer - nope, bearing is stuck on the rotor shaft. Soaked for three more days and repeated the tapping with a bit more vigor - still no movement. Thought of trying a puller, perhaps a press, but I thought I'd give this a try.

WARNING - THE FOLLOWING IMAGES MAY BE CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE TO PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AND/OR HARDCORE CORVETTE OWNERS !!! LOL !!

With a 5/16" tune-up wrench and a bit of help from a needle nose pliers, I found that I could back out the three screws holding the bearing retainer.

After a bit more tapping with a deep drive socket, the bearing and rotor came free of the housing. Bearing was really roach, and the retainer is stuck between it and the rotor.

So now it's time for Mr. Dremel to go to work. One cutting disc later, the outer bearing race and the ball assembly were history.

Being very careful not to cut into the rotor shaft, load up another cutting disc and attack the inner bearing race. I didn't have to cut all the way through, a bit of heat built up during the cutting and a tap with a chisel did the job. Bye, bye old nasty bearing !!

So now with the ability to breathe again, both the rotor shaft and the housing cleaned up great. Checked the rotor and stator for any winding issues and we're ready for the rebuild kit. Of course the nearest Napa kit is located at their warehouse in VA., so sometime next week I should be good to go.

Hopefully the re-assembly goes a bit more according to the book !!

|UPDATED|2/20/2015 5:08:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

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Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (2/9)
2/21/15 10:39am

Sarge81

Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Great write up John! Thumbs Up

Thank you for taking the time and sharing this with us.

Yup this are one of the many pitfalls in automotive repair that they don't tell you how to overcome in the repair manuals.

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44

'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975

Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.

Lifetime Member #26

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Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (3/9)
2/21/15 9:25pm

Hey Sarge, thanks for your response and feedback. I've been on many Corvette websites and this is one of my favorites. I've also learned a lot from the people on this site and many others, just like to contribute back where I can, specially with personal experience not really covered in the manuals.

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

Quote

Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (4/9)
3/1/15 6:43pm

So the Napa warehouse in VA. dug itself out of the winter weather long enough to ship my alternator rebuild kit. While dis-assembly got a little creative, assembly went according to the book !!

New bearings, brushes, diode trio and voltage regulator installed and ready for assembly.

Only a light clean up required for that driver/survivor finish. Bench tested at Napa and good to go.

Installed and works great, Nov. 14, '72 date code is a perfect match for my Dec. '72 build date.

Now on to the correct starter and getting the original water pump rebuilt and back into the car !!

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

Quote

Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (5/9)
3/2/15 2:25pm

Adams' Apple

Lifetime Member
Moderator
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20129

Sweet!!

Does the casing still have the ink stamp on it?

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (6/9)
3/2/15 2:39pm

Hey Joel, unfortunately no ink stamp. I'll have to do some research on that detail. Thanks !!

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

Quote

Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (7/9)
3/2/15 3:00pm

Adams' Apple

Should have an "RH" stamp, I think. Depends on if it has A/C, and/or a rear winder defogger.

|UPDATED|3/2/2015 12:00:45 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

______________

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Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (8/9)
3/2/15 11:49pm

dskopp
Limited Member
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

Vman73 said: So I made the trade of the weekend a few weeks ago at the PNW Chevy/Corvette Swap meet in Puyallup. Swapped a bunch of extra parts for a correct date coded 61 amp alternator for my '73. It's condition was perfect for my car but it clearly needed a rebuild, the front bearing was a bit crunchy - but no biggie.

WARNING - THE FOLLOWING IMAGES MAY BE CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE TO PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS AND/OR HARDCORE CORVETTE OWNERS !!! LOL !!

With a 5/16" tune-up wrench and a bit of help from a needle nose pliers, I found that I could back out the three screws holding the bearing retainer.

After a bit more tapping with a deep drive socket, the bearing and rotor came free of the housing. Bearing was really roach, and the retainer is stuck between it and the rotor.

So now it's time for Mr. Dremel to go to work. One cutting disc later, the outer bearing race and the ball assembly were history.

Hopefully the re-assembly goes a bit more according to the book !!

WOW! Great pictures. You could get a job working for PlayBoy!!!!!

Dan da Man

______________

(click to see a larger image)

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Re: Alternator Restoration - not quite according to the book (9/9)
3/20/15 4:20pm

Hey Dan, thanks for your review of my photographs !! What did we do before modern cell phones and that Internet thing ?? As far as the PB assignment, I don't think that would go over too well with my better half. Good way to loose my cell phone and Internet prevledges, LOL !!

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

Quote

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