Will Ferch, Alternator, My first Mechanical Work and What Else

mgbruno · 06-25-2006, 11:56 AM

Hi all,
My alternator just went bad and I bought a new onere here on this site for a good price. Haven't gotten it yet, but I figure I'd start the project anyway. I'm a very clueless mechanic - so, with Waynes 101 book and Will Ferch's great article in hand, I started. Well, the alternator is out, nothings broken, and I'm ready to reinstall. Without your articloe, Will, forget it! Thanks so much. It really helped! Noow for the "what else". With all that stuff out of my baby, I saw all the old grease and nasty dust. What do you guys think? Could I take some engine degreaser and go to town??? What should I watch out for when I do this? What about painting the fan housing and the fan itself?? Gotta say, but I'm kindof on the fence about painting it red - laugh. Just want a really clean engine. The Fan housing is badly discolored right now. Any suggestions? OK, I'll have to update you all on my progress when I get it all back togeather again. Did make notes, etc, but its always more involved than I anticipate

Thanks again Will. Looking forward to you guy's suggestions. This WAS my first mech work on my baby. Whoooo hooo. I was so happy, my hands all grimy - my wife thought i was crazy!

Flyer88 · 06-25-2006, 12:12 PM

I replaced my voltage regulator with the help of Wil's tech article this weekend. It was a walk in the park. Odd thing was that my car had 7 shims - in inside and 6 outside. Thanks Wil!

oneblueyedog · oneblueyedog's Garage

I'd use a shop vac and suck it out, carefully scraping it up with a wire brush. Otherwise you'll wash that stuff all over the coolong fins and heat exchangers and boy will it ever smoke out and possibly burn.

Wil Ferch · 06-25-2006, 06:52 PM

I'm glad that old post of mine still has some value ..... LOL !

Sure, clean up as best as you can, functionally I would try to get as much "stuff" off the cooling fins as I can...keep these clean !

As for cosmetics, you can use Simichrome or other polishes and polish up the fan housing and also the fan itself. It will then tarnish to a uniform dull aluminum color, or you can powder coat, etc, as posted by several other people here....

Wil