Alternator query

[8673sharp]

Hi all,
Hope someone can help...
I have ordered a new alternator from brickwerks, but having a minor flap in that it has a 25-30 mil shaft between pulley and fan like so


However the alternator attached to the van is like this


The options as I see it are:
1: send back alternator and get one with new correct pulley
2: swap pulleys-is this particularly difficult?
3: fit new alternator as is and hope...
I suspect I know that I need to go with option 1 but hoping some wise old dg guru on here will say option 3 will be fine...
Haha!
Thanks in advance
Paul

[California Dreamin]

Just swap over the pulley....not so easy with hand tools but literally a minute job with an air gun so possibly something that could be done by your local tyre fiterst or friendly garage for a drink.

Martin

[itchyfeet]

Id speak to brickwerks if it didn't mention swapping the pulley on their website

[California Dreamin]

Pretty sure this has been discussed several times before....sure, if you want to phone Brickwerks then do so but swapping the pulley over to another type was common everyday practice back in the day as two/three alternators often covered a dozen or more vehicle engine types.

Martin

[pionte]

[quote="California Dreamin" swapping the pulley over to another type was common everyday practice back in the day as two/three alternators often covered a dozen or more vehicle engine types.

Martin[/quote]


As Martin says... It was normal practice to do this, I used to do it without air tools, hold the metal fins in one hand using a rag, put the socket and T bar on the nut and give it a tap with a hammer, the shock should release it..... fit the correct pulley and do the reverse , it will take less time than waiting for Brickwerks to answer the phone .

Obviously worth checking the Amperage is correct and the connections too before hand .

[itchyfeet]

Brickwerks should tell you that when you buy it IMO so you are prepared for it. As you say hard to do it yourself

[8673sharp]

Hi all, thanks for the heads up. Will see what happens when I ask a pal to change them over in his workshop... It's going to cost me a lot of tea and biccies!!! Will be worth it though I'm sure!

[ghost123uk]

I had to swap pulleys once when my alternator packed up in N. Yorkshire. A local village garage had to be called upon to get the pulley off my old alternator and they had a hell of a job getting it off. It eventually came off after it was heated until it was glowing red and a ruddy great hammer and a vice was involved too Just thought I would mention that, yours hopefully will be easier (if you go down that route that is).

[8673sharp]

Well, getting the old one off wasn't a problem to be fair, but finding a socket that would fit inside the sleeve to reach the nut on the new one has evaded me. Hey ho, train home tomorrow. Still, my father in law who jinxed me last weekend will hopefully sort it at his garage... Thanks again for all the info and tips.
Paul

[California Dreamin]

Well, getting the old one off wasn't a problem to be fair, but finding a socket that would fit inside the sleeve to reach the nut on the new one has evaded me

A short 3-4 inch (half inch drive extension) is a requirement (you get one in every 1/2 inch drive socket set.
As for the seizing and gas torch never had to do this in all of my years.

The reason an air gun is often the best method is because a locking 'split washer' is used which bites into the nut preventing it from coming loose. However, the shocking motion of an impact gun deals with this in seconds.

Seems to be a lot of talk over something so simple...

Martin

[8673sharp]

Hi Martin, you were right ref impact socket. Brother in law had it wrapped up in about 3 minutes! All I have to do now is get the train to bulford in order to fit the wretched thing!

[pionte]

I used to do it without air tools, hold the metal fins in one hand using a rag, put the socket and T bar on the nut and give it a tap with a hammer, the shock should release it..... fit the correct pulley and do the reverse , it will take less time than waiting for Brickwerks to answer the phone .

.

just to be clear for others reading this in the future, It IS perfectly possible and easy to do without the need of an air gun..... just saying ( again )

[California Dreamin]

As he said....perfectly possible....but nowhere as easy as an impact gun. Also, other methods do pose a risk of damaging the pulley or bending the fan.

Martin

[pionte]

yes , admittedly if you where in a workshop with access to air tools then why wouldnt you use them... my point is that if you are on your drive on a saturday afternoon then all is not lost, it is possible to do it without. It upto the individual to decide how they want to do it.