engine and drivetrain Alternator mounting issues

[Pepe74]

Hey all,

I'm hoping to get the benefit of all the experience on this forum. I bought a Bosch AL89X alternator to replace the worn (though not dead) alternator in my '74 Automatic 2002. Upon getting it in, pulling the old one, and reinstalling the new one, I found that the alternator mounting bar (the arm that goes to the bottom of the block) no longer reached all the way. It appears that the new alternator--the Bosch AL89X that all info tells me is the correct one for a non-tii '74--has a larger circumference than the one it replaces so that now it rests against the engine block and the arm no longer reaches.

Has anyone else had this experience? Should I just get a new arm machined? Should I send this alternator back and get a different one? Some guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Derek B.

'74 Auto 2002 (Pepe)

[nbcbird]

New (or correct) fan belt?

[Pepe74]

The fan belt should be the correct one. However, the belt doesn't enter in to it at this point. Just to clarify, this is before even attaching the fan belt. The alternator is at the furthest setting on the mounting bar and the mounting bar will no longer reach the threaded hole on the engine block. Or, conversely, when the mounting bar is attached at the lower end, the upper end of the mounting bar won't reach the alternator.

[c.d.iesel]

you got the wrong alternator

[nbcbird]

From my memory the Bosch AL89X alternator is the correct OE replacement and the AL41X is the upgrade with bigger output. I had trouble earlier this year with a loose shaft on a Bosch rebuilt AL41X and sent it back--the replacement was better. Maybe Bosch screwed up with a wrong label or different outer casing.

[Pepe74]

Can anyone give me information on which is the correct alternator if not the Bosch AL89X?

[nbcbird]

AL89X is the correct replacement. A quick forum search (alternator and ugprade) reveals that the current AL89X replacement requires a new bracket for installation--probably for the problem you are confronted with. Good luck.

[Pepe74]

Thanks for the info, nbcbird. I appreciate the heads-up on the change in mounting. I spent last week trying to figure out if I got the wrong one or if the owner before me had mickey-moused the arm together and I'd have to make a new one. I've been all over the web looking up this issue to no avail. I knew someone here had to have dealt with it but my searches turned up nothing. I appreciate your time.

[Napes]

I've replaced the alternator in both my '75 automatic and my wife's '76 automatic within the past couple of years with rebuilt Bosch AL89X models and the OE mounting bars, with new red poly bushings, worked fine.

If there is now something different about rebuilt AL89Xs then it appears to be fairly recent. I've always gotten mine from La Jolla Independent. If you call them, they may know of a problem and/or solution.

Bob Napier

[Pepe74]

I'm curious, what does your OE mounting bar look like? I'm beginning to think that the alternator mounting bar that came with my car is something a mechanic threw together somewhere along the line. Through more research on the forums than I'd like to have spent today, I've found Bavarian Autohaus (?sp) and their "alternator sliding arm." I've sent them an email to check on length. Hopefully they will respond and I can get this crap sorted and Pepe back out on the road. Who knew a friggin' alternator would cause me such headaches?!