I'm going to be adding the Electrocool A/C and part of that is upgrading the alternator to support the load.
On most cars I've worked on, the phrase "replacing the alternator" makes me think of a job that takes at most 15 minutes. With Zoidberg... not so much. What a pain in the ass!
You can't say "European car" without "special tools"! This stupid thing cost me $100 by the time you add exchange and shipping costs. I guess it explains why the Porsche tool kit is like $600.
At least since the engine has been rebuilt recently, it came apart pretty easily and I only had to give a couple of light taps on the shaft for it to fall out nice and easy. But all the steps leading up to this were a fiddly mess, having to balance all these loose parts (strap, fan housing, back cover, etc).
The new one is a pretty nice looking bit of kit. Forgot to get a photo of it but here's the backside. Before anyone says anything, it's upside down in this photo and I figured that out before trying to install it. Read the manual!
Nice beefy wires - the ground cable is substantially improved.
For the power wire, I just ran it over the top of the existing rubber grommet in the tin. However I didn't figure out I could do this until I'd pulled the tin apart and no amount of contorting could get the rubber piece back into it. I got it about 85% in there but I may do some checks on it this summer. I just added the power wire to the existing connections instead of replacing it.
Also, it still had its original alternator so I had to do the internal regulator modification, which is just leaving a black wire unattached and disconnecting the regulator on the left side.
Lots of people don't care for the US bumperettes (including me) but they sure make handy shelves. I know, I know - I should use a cover over the paint. I'll add it to the non-essentials list.
The pulley used this rounded washer which pushes against the pulley since it apparently doesn't sit flush. However I had to open up the hole quite a bit to fit the new shaft on the alternator.
All buttoned up in what I assume are the right places. It's alive!
Nice steady 14.3v. Old alt would do roughly 13v or so, often dropping to just over 12v. So that alone is a huge improvement.
Coming soon: heat backdate, A/C install, M&K headers.