Alternator Bearings

[sleepdoc]

Hi All

My 3.2l 914 conversion has a bit of squeaky in the alternator bearings. For most of you to fix this it is just a matter of pulling the fan, shroud, and alternator and fixing it.

For me pulling the alternator requires a complete engine drop.
I cannot really get at the fan side of the alternator because the firewall is just too close.

The alternator is working fine at this time and I intend to just keep running it until it dies. Does anyone have any tips or thoughts on how I can get some lubrication on the dry bearings without pulling the alternator. For instance I wouldn't be completely adverse to cutting an access port in the shroud if anyone thought it would work.

thanks for your thoughts

best Mark

[HawgRyder]

Altenator bearings are sealed...I don't think you will get any lube into them without using a hyperdermic needle.
If you just spray into the housing...alll you will do is wet down the slip rings and rotor.
More harm than good!
Pulling the beast is the only way...and when you do..take it to a good rebuild shop and slip the guy an extra $20 ...ask him to take special care.
When I rebuilt mine...I went through about a dozen bearings to get one that suited me.
Some are just smoother than others.
Bob

[si2t3m]

I just did an alt swap not more than 2 days ago in my 914-6 conversion with a 3.0L and Webers. My fiberglass shroud is the 2 piece unit (shroud and little piece that covers the oil cooler and seperate parts)

Engine stayed in place.

On my first try I removed the engine lid, and removed the air tunnel (the part that bring air to the heat exchangers) on the passengers side. Almost got it out but it was too tight.

So I took the manifolds (and carbs as a unit) off and took them out of the the engine compartment. I took my other air tunnel off and I unbolted the shroud. I was able to lift the shroud enough to be able to get to the air deflector behind the alt. I removed it, took the wires off from the alt and took the alt-fan-housing out as a unit.


Had enought room to reinstall it.

It took me around 4 hours to do.

Marc-Andre Morin
70 914-6 conversion 3.0L Webers

[jabb]

You can get to the Alternator in the way that Mark describes....
I believe you have the FI/Motronic on your car so you have a lot more stuff to remove. In your case I think an engine drop is the way to go......

Just want to keep in mind if the bearing does fail and you loose the Fan and belt you are stuck..... You can not drive any distance at all without that cooling fan.

Good Luck

[sleepdoc]

Much thanks Marc

I do have the motronic setup, but at least I will look again and see if I can do it in the car.
It is encouraging to have an option.

Dropping it may still be the only answer.
Thanks All

best Mark