hmmm. I did all this fan and alt work, now the alt light is on after I am finished?

[FinallyGotOne]

Not sure what is the deal. Alt light is on (bottom light) wheni took it for a spin after completeion of my project. Just put a brand new belt on it, and it is tight. But no shims between pulley and alt housing. WhenI put shims there the belt flipped inside out. I thought the alt and housingwas not far enough back, but I cannot get it back any further. Advice?

[Joe Bob]

Is the alt a different model?

[FinallyGotOne]

Well, ok this is odd. The car was idling while I tidied up the garage. Then I took it for a spin and parked it. Just went out to see if maybe the alt belt snapped. It did not snap, but it did spin off the pulleys!! It's sitting on top of my AC compressor. I did not put the AC belt back on yet. What the heck! There was maybe 1/4 inch play in the belt, how it came off I'm clueless...

[FinallyGotOne]

Too much for one day, I'll try again tomorrow

[na2ub]

Did you put the belt on the right motor pulley? You probably have at least 2, maybe three for the alt, a/c, and possibly smog pump. Did you end up buying a whole new alt, or just replace the VR? If you got a new one, what kind?

[FinallyGotOne]

Well I kept all the same parts. But I did put the belt on the air pump pulley not the one further back. Geez. can't believe I did that. So tonight I shall put it on the correct pulley and I'll start with the three washers behind the pulley and put the remaining under the nut. The AC goes from crank to AC compressor. So this pulley only has 2. On a separate note i removed all the carpet and the floorboards to vacuum and clean up under them and took it for a drive. JESUS! the car is nearly impossible to drive like that. The clutch pedal release was way too long. crazy...
Reading my haynes manual, I had no idea the alternator acted as a cooling fan to the cylinder heads! Now i see why those fins and fan are so important.

[na2ub]

Excellent. Make sure you get the right tension in the belt, which I believe is about 1/2 inch of deflection. Too tight and it will wear out your alt bearings, too loose and it may slip. Yes, the alt fan is critical to the engine cooling. That is why it is very important to pull over immediately if your alternator light comes on, and check the belt. As soon as air is not being forced over the cylinders, the engine can overheat very rapidly.

Cheers,

[Cdnone1]

Be careful using your clutch without the floor boards. There is a stop for the clutch pedal in it and if you put the clutch pedal all the way to the floor you can damage the helper spring

Steve

[bkreigsr]

it is possible that the alt is hung up on the air diverter vanes. check to see if one, or more of the pigtail leads got wedged between the vane and the shroud. this condition will pervent the alt from fully seating, but you would still be able to install the retaining strap. it's a pia, I know, but the alt should seat exactly where it was before you worked on it. Bill K

[FinallyGotOne]

I'll post pics of teh shroud and strap later this evening on where it is sitting. let me know if it looks okay