Alternator change

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

Right, I give in. I must have put 10 hours into replacing my alternator and I'm very close to scrapping the thing and buying something sensible like a moggy thou van. I've got the old alternator off but I cannot get the new one on. I've tried it from underneath but my winch drive shaft is in the way, even with the wing off I can't do it. I've considered taking the front panal and radiator off but looking at the fasteners, that's a new world of hurt. Last resort is taking it to the local garage and make them earn their £100. The garage is about a 10-15 minute drive away but with no alternator there is no fan belt so the water pump isn't running. So here is my question, how long do you think I can drive it without the water pump running.

Col

Wildefalcon · Nov 10, 2020

Photos?

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

Wildefalcon said:
Photos?

No thanks, unless they are of naked ladies.

Col

Marmaduke · Nov 10, 2020

How did you get the old one off if you can't get the new one one?

kermit_rr · Nov 10, 2020

I wouldn't drive without a water pump, you'll get hot spots
Is the new one identical?

Stretch · Nov 10, 2020

Colthebrummie said:
... So here is my question, how long do you think I can drive it without the water pump running.

Col

I say not long.

I don't know if they are still sold but there used to be emergency fan belts sold in places like Halfords. I haven't seen them for years though. They were like huge rubber bands that were intended to stretch and fit to any / every car (with a V-belt pully system - actually thinking about it as most cars now have ribbed flat belts I guess this is why I haven't seen them for years and years and years)...

...anyway apart from stripping stockings off an agreeably dressed passing lady I was thinking one of those emergency rubber band fan belts would be just the ticket to keep the water pump turning on your way to the garage (if you really have had enough of this DIY job).

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

Marmaduke said:
How did you get the old one off if you can't get the new one one?

The new one is a slightly wider body but a bit shorter. The new alternator is a fair bit more powerful. I'm wondering how I managed to get the old one off but there must have been a bit more room to get a spanner on the nuts underneath the unit. Stripping and rebuilding the brakes and steering was a walk in the park compared to this.

Col

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

Stretch said:
I say not long.

I don't know if they are still sold but there used to be emergency fan belts sold in places like Halfords. I haven't seen them for years though. They were like huge rubber bands that were intended to stretch and fit to any / every car (with a V-belt pully system - actually thinking about it as most cars now have ribbed flat belts I guess this is why I haven't seen them for years and years and years)...

...anyway apart from stripping stockings off an agreeably dressed passing lady I was thinking one of those emergency rubber band fan belts would be just the ticket to keep the water pump turning on your way to the garage (if you really have had enough of this DIY job).

That's a good idea. I have a length of linked belt for a lathe, maybe I can cobble a temporary belt with that.

Col

kermit_rr · Nov 10, 2020

Colthebrummie said:
The new one is a slightly wider body but a bit shorter. The new alternator is a fair bit more powerful. I'm wondering how I managed to get the old one off but there must have been a bit more room to get a spanner on the nuts underneath the unit. Stripping and rebuilding the brakes and steering was a walk in the park compared to this.

Col

is the cable to the battery stout enough?

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

kermit_rr said:
is the cable to the battery stout enough?

Do you mean the cable from the alternators? If so, I'm not sure but I'll find out when it's eventually in.

Col

kermit_rr · Nov 10, 2020

Colthebrummie said:
Do you mean the cable from the alternators? If so, I'm not sure but I'll find out when it's eventually in.

Col

how many alternators will you have connected?

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

Stretch said:
I say not long.

I don't know if they are still sold but there used to be emergency fan belts sold in places like Halfords. I haven't seen them for years though. They were like huge rubber bands that were intended to stretch and fit to any / every car (with a V-belt pully system - actually thinking about it as most cars now have ribbed flat belts I guess this is why I haven't seen them for years and years and years)...

...anyway apart from stripping stockings off an agreeably dressed passing lady I was thinking one of those emergency rubber band fan belts would be just the ticket to keep the water pump turning on your way to the garage (if you really have had enough of this DIY job).

I've ordered an emergency fan belt from eBay, you cut it to length and it comes with some sort of thing to join it together. I just need it to last about 15 minutes and be strong enough to turn the water pump. I don't spose it matters if it slips a bit. I hate giving in but there comes a time when defeat is the less painful choice.

Col

Marmaduke · Nov 10, 2020

Colthebrummie said:
The new one is a slightly wider body but a bit shorter. The new alternator is a fair bit more powerful. I'm wondering how I managed to get the old one off but there must have been a bit more room to get a spanner on the nuts underneath the unit. Stripping and rebuilding the brakes and steering was a walk in the park compared to this.

Col

Strange the new one won't wiggle into place.... Have you got sausage fingers?

Stretch · Nov 10, 2020

Colthebrummie said:
I've ordered an emergency fan belt from eBay, you cut it to length and it comes with some sort of thing to join it together. I just need it to last about 15 minutes and be strong enough to turn the water pump. I don't spose it matters if it slips a bit. I hate giving in but there comes a time when defeat is the less painful choice.

Col

I'm glad to hear they are still available. I wonder if one would fit my cement mixer...

...anyway there's nothing wrong with admitting defeat. I wish I could do it - sometimes I make things worse by chucking teddy out the cot and resorting to hammer time...

Blackburn · Nov 10, 2020

Be quicker and cheaper to take the wing off so you can get at it.

kermit_rr · Nov 10, 2020

Blackburn said:
Be quicker and cheaper to take the wing off so you can get at it.

Or take the engine out, seems to be a favourite landy owner pastime

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Or take the engine out, seems to be a favourite landy owner pastime

Unfortunately, it's parked on the road outside my house. The neighbours are reasonably tolerant but getting the engine out might be a bit too much. At 64 and troubled with arthritis and some nerve damage in my good hand, I just can't be arsed struggling for hours. The other issue is, it always starts to rain as soon as I've spread tools all over the place and lying on my back underneath it plays havoc with my COPD, Christ, I'm a bigger wreck than the landy.

Col

Colthebrummie · Nov 10, 2020

Apart from MOTs, this will be the first time it's been to a garage since I bought it. I hate admitting defeat but I want it back on the road and it'll be the new year at this rate.

Col

Marmaduke · Nov 10, 2020

Colthebrummie said:
Apart from MOTs, this will be the first time it's been to a garage since I bought it. I hate admitting defeat but I want it back on the road and it'll be the new year at this rate.

Col

Get her done....

TheMegaMan · Nov 10, 2020

I assume it's not trivial to remove the winch drive shaft? I replaced my alternator fairly easily with the wing off and the radiator in place, so I assume the drive shaft is the main difference between what you have and what I had.

Alternator change

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