I had the alternator in the Terraplane go out for the third time in 3 years yesterday... I cannot think of any reason why this can be occurring, other than the possibility of death due to vibration (the engine has over a .50 lift and I am running Solid Motor Mounts...) I haven't torn it down, so I can't say where this one failed yet... Anyone ever have this problem before? Anyone aware of anything else that can kill multiple alternators? Thanks, Mike
Try running the solid mount on the driver side only, std. on the pass side only. We learned this a long time back with our street/drag rides. Helps that launch and reduces the teeth rattle of running both solid.
Other reasons for Alt. failure; Corroded connections at battery. Old, high resistance battery cables, poitive or negative. Poor ground from engine to frame. Run a engine to ground strap even though the mounts are solid! Ya just can't get good rebuilts any more. (or new "jobber" ones either for that matter) I went thru a half dozen rebuilts on my MGB GT before the parts store changed suppliers, and now it hasn't quit in years.
...uh, running the stereo so's you could knock cows over whilst flying up the I-5, and flipping the switch on the bags like you were in a bouncing contest?? They probably die of exhaustion!
Make sure the belt is aligned perfectly. If the alt. is*****ed it will wear the bushings and allow contact inside. Mutt
So, what are ya using for an alternator? A honda unit or maybe one of those little G.M. jobs? I replaced 4 of the small G.M. type in Mrs Rocky's Lumina coupe in 4 years. Oh yeah, NAPA stood behind every one but the labor pissed me off. They switched suppliers too and the present one has been in there for about 6 years now. Those little ones create a lot of heat. Their small physical size makes it hard to disapate heat faster than they make it. The first 3 I replaced had melted plastic rattling around inside them. I use the old reliable S-1 G.M. alternators on my hot rods. And I rebuild 'em myself...costs about 10 bucks and that includes the one-wire regulator.....
I found my problem to be the alternator bracket itself. Was too weak to support the alt properly. I went thru a couple of alternators in one season, too much vibration. Had a buddy make me a new, stronger bracket. Since then, 25,000 miles, not one problem.
I think that one went bad so fast cause I spilled my beer all over it saturday night in the hotel lot.I was trying to see why your lights were on, stupid me, they were on to see the girls.....
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