My alternator on my 1985 2.6l recently took a dump so I bought a Napa unit to replace it with. I thought it was going to be a breeze to change. I soon got very frustrated and ran out of day light. What do you guys think is the best way to remove the alternator and how long should It take? Is there any tools that will make the job easier?
Thanks guys.
Mike Wilson

Mike, some of it depends on whether or not you have A/C in your truck. I simply cannot get to the alt. on every one I've done without moving the A/C compressor out of the way.

Important: DO NOT DISCONNECT ANY A/C LINES!

I will assume you know how to get the a/c belt off - straighforward loosening of the pivot points and the tensioner slide bolt. You are going to need to unbolt the compressor from its bracket and carefully move it, with its lines attached, to the driver's side of the engine compartment, trying to keep those lines from bending too much. Secure the compressor so it doesn't slip back into your way. Heck, use a shoestring if you have to. Then, remove the compressor's bracket from the engine. There are several bolts, and a couple of them are hiding under the edges of the bracket where you can't see them. Those same bolts are also different lengths, so use a scrap piece of cardboard to poke them through so it makes sense to you where they will go when you put them back.

Disconnect the wires from the back of the alternator - pretty straight forward. Here's where you will find out if you remembered to disconnect the negative battery terminal first. (Sparks are fun, especially when you are about a foot away from the fuel pump and carb...) To loosen the belt, you have to loosen the lock nut on the tensioner for that belt (on the front of the alternator - area, loosen the pivot point's bolt (held captive on one end, there is a nut on the rear of the alternator somewhere, and as I recall, it's a long hex nut that's easy to find with your hand) then dial out the tension, remove the belt and continue to undo those bolts you've loosened to free the unit. Details may include leaving the wiring on until you have the unit loose, but you get the idea.

That's the only way I have been able to do it on the 2.6 engine. After you do it five or six times you really get a system going. The alternators I have used have all been Autolite, for whatever reason, but they do come with a lifetime warranty and I haven't had one fail yet. They need to come off for other reasons sometimes and that's why I've done this one so many times.

Hope that helps. Welcome to the Wire!

Oh, no special tools, as I recall.

I can do it in about two hours, I think.

John B.

Darn!! I was afraid that removing the A/C was the only option for replacing the alternator. I will Try to do it this weekend. I have had the truck for 5 years and never use the A/C can i get rid of the A/c or is it a good idea to keep it? thanks.

The day you get rid of the a/c is the day you'll wish you hadn't! I use it sometimes when it is raining; those clever designers make it possible to link it to the defroster to direct dehumidified airflow to the windows to keep them from fogging up. Obviously, it also has conventional use in the Phoenix area during, ohhh, about ten of twelve months of the year.

At any rate, I'd make darn sure that system was empty before disconnecting any lines. Hazards include freezing one's eveballs, Freon burning with an invisible flame, etc.

Just follow my procedure outlined above and you won't have to remove the system. It'll go back together just fine and you'll forget all about it...Post up with any more questions and we'll all try to chip in from afar.

John B.

I've done this another way, and I can't remember how. I think I dropped the bottom pan and went out the bottom, or there's room to get past the a/c compressor bracket with the compressor removed, or I removed the radiator and upper shroud, leaving the fan on. Long time since a carb motor. Wait til the starter goes....

I know the alt can be removed wo pulling the AC pump... I just dont rmember exactly how.

It can be snuck out going towards the back, I think I pulled the ignition coil to get it to fit. If I remembe r right I also have gone out the front and then dropped it down past the sway bar.

Its been a while. I thinking that if my 110 amp unit fits out without pulling the AC then the stocker shold fit as well.

Kevin

Starter is easier than the alternator to R&R...

Ok, I have done it by removing the fan shroud and the fan, now watch for the radiador <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> As for the starter I don't know but i did mine in like 30 minutes, and that is removing the old one and throwing in the new one. The trick was like 6 or 7 rachet extensions, since I don't have 1 long one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, to make what I call a "REMOTE BOLT EXTRACTOR" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> it reached all the way to the tranny X-member. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />