Q: alternator

[tonycarreon]

yeah i can imagine. i finally got it out, just took more force than i really wanted to use. and then it popped out - it must have been really tight on the right side bolt because it was just wanting to pivot there.

[Steve Tinker]

Tony...
I know its now too late, but on the lower left hand side (@ 7 o'clock position) of the alternator, you can see the black plastic inducton plennum bolted to the cylinder head.
If you remove the nearest bolt you can see (10mm) holding the plennum to the head, it allows the alternator to swivel round and removal is easy.... Installation of the new alternator is also much easier too.
Don't forget to re install the bolt !!

[tonycarreon]

yeah i saw that, but after some wriggling, cursing and sweat, i got it all put together. just stopped for the night near nashville, tn without incident averaging 90mph and a few stops here and there.

though now it seems either the cat or heat shield is rattling - around 600 - 900 rpm i get a pretty decent rattle around the rear driver's tire...

[Frodo]

Curious...did O'Reillys loan you the tools? (I've never been in that situation before.)

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Curious...did O'Reillys loan you the tools? (I've never been in that situation before.)

No, but they advertise loaner "specialty" tools. However being a small town, I was next door to a walmart. Just bought the wrench and a set of sockets.

[Norminhouston]

Originally Posted by tonycarreon

No, but they advertise loaner "specialty" tools. However being a small town, I was next door to a walmart. Just bought the wrench and a set of sockets.

To think that you replaced an alt in a motel parking is impressive. Congrats!

Norm

[tonycarreon]

Originally Posted by Norminhouston

To think that you replaced an alt in a motel parking is impressive. Congrats!

Norm

i did have to ask one older gentleman who walked with a cane to walk back to his car and move it since he parked right next to me and i had to have the door opened for my feet to stick out. i felt like a d*(k.

i can see why removing the passenger seat would be helpful. it was quite hard to straddle the console with both seats pushed forward all the way. not something i want to do again.

in case anyone is curious, there was no need to put the top in service position or remove the carpeting / storage box from above the engine, only the front carpet and firewall.

all in all, not a hard job. mptoledo's write up was good as was mikefocke's. i started at 9:30 and had it all finished around 12:45 including the 1 hour walk to / from o'reillys to pick up the new alternator and give them the core. the hotel manager was kind enough to let me stay in the room until 1 so i could shower afterwards. i usually carry my small socket wrench set in case i need to replace the belt or do something else but i left them at home this time - whoops. made it back home at 2am monday morning.

grand total of 3200 miles roundtrip.