Need some help - alternator installation depth

[Kidasters]

I've been working on replacing my fan shroud, and at the same time, I've replaced my fan and fan shroud - both with Vertex units. I had everything together, and it all worked fine. However - I've noticed that one side of my fan belt rubs on the fan itself, leaving a big black ring on the fan. Which can't be good for the belt either. On the other side of the fan, there is about 1/8" clearance. That tells me the alternator is in the housing crooked. So - I've pulled everything back out this weekend. I've searched both my bentley book and the forum for any comments on the correct alternator installation depth. I'm guessing that you want it to snug flush on the back of housing?

One thing - when I was pulling everything apart, the fan just slid off in my hands, and the alternator came out of the old housing very easily.

Anyway - thoughts?

Thanks,

Ken

[Kidasters]

OK - some polishing with the dremel, some anti-sieze on the housing, and it's in flush.

Just waiting for the paint on the fan to dry now.

Ken

[Johnb911]

The fan should slide off the alternator shaft easily if you had just put it on there.

Let me ask the obvious first about the alternator:

Did you install the 8 nuts on the back?

If so,

It sounds like the fan shroud might not be seated correctly.

[Joe Bob]

Not a big fan of Vertex.....there are a couple of different manufaturers of alts and they tend to have different depths and fitment issues.

My recomendation is to always have an alt or starter rebuilt locally. They tend to fix everything as opposed to just making it work.

Good luck....

[Kidasters]

I did not install 8 nuts on the back. I installed 6 - 3 that secure the alt to the housing, 3 that secure the deflector to the back of the housing.

Joe Bob - the alternator I installed is a re-man'd Bosch alt. I'm going to keep the old one as a backup.

I know a lot of people have complained about the fitment of the Vertex bits, but for fan housings there aren't a lot of options.

The fan is dry and in the housing. I'd go finish up, but it's 107 outside right now, so I may wait until tomorrow morning....

Ken

edit - I went and finished anyway. I look like someone dumped a bucket of water on me. It's 108 outside. But - I started the car, and everything looks good. Belts are tight. No rubbing by belts or fan on housing. Voltmeter is reading 13.6 with everything on (and A/C on full blast), 14 with everything off. Celebratory cold beer is in hand.