Alternator housing cracked / broken

[waqas]

I ran into an interesting issue: my alternator has a cracked mounting point. How it happened I haven't a clue.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/Waqas/200741024439_DSC08739-small.jpg

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/Waqas/200741023941_DSC08741-small.jpg

Once I loosened the adjusting nut, the little cracked flange piece finally came apart from the alternator body.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/Waqas/200741024253_DSC08742-small.jpg

I now need a new alternator front face, with the flange piece intact. (any donors out there?)... My alternator has been working flawlessly...

Once I noticed the crack, I couldn't just let it remain like that. On removal, I noticed some slight cracking in a small cooling hose... Now I've taken apart a whole lot more than I'd intended! (replacing all belts, cooling hoses and gaskets, among other things-- see concurrent water pump housing thread)

I was wondering if anyone else had ever seen this happen? (and perhaps share why it would crack like that? Was it too tight?)

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[ja17]

Hello,

I most likely have some of these lurking invarious places around here, which would love a new home. I will check. The earliest alternators had the aluminum pulley. I also see that you have the short four hole waterpump with spacer (latter cars had long for hole waterpump and no spacer, also used different pulley.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[waqas]

Hello Joe,

Sounds great to me! I'll have to try and make it to Blacklick this year to personally pick up the part.... and to finally meet you and a lot of other really cool people in the group... good motivation for me.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[Naj ✝︎]

Hello, Waqas

 

quote:(and perhaps share why it would crack like that? Was it too tight?)

I think there are a couple of reasons why the housing would crack:

1. Its very easy to over-tighten the belt with this bolt system.
2. When you adjust the belt, the bolt/nut moves in a straight line but the alternator moves in an arc. Loosening that small bolt on the alternator allows the big split nut to re-allign itself. If it is not slacked off a bit then I believe it would over stress the housing. Snap  :oops:

naj

68 280SL

[ja17]

Hello Waqas,

Found a few of these relics in the shed out back. If you email your address to me I will drop it in a priority mail box and you'll have it by the week end!  ja17@worldnet.att.net  
I'll put you down as a "tentative" on the Blacklick Tech Session list for this summer. Hope you can make it. It should be well worth the trip.

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Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[waqas]

Hello Joe,

I just received the alternator cover plate... thanks so very much! You are a true gentleman. Is your P.O. box address the appropriate one to use for return correspondence?

Also, is there an easy way to remove the big alternator pulley nut? I was thinking I might wrap an old alternator belt around the pulley and grip tightly, and then attempt to loosen the nut... any suggestions?

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[ja17]

Hello Waqas,

A power impact tool makes quick work of it. However this may not be an option for most, I think your belt idea may work.

Joe

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio