alternator issues

[bubblerboy64]

The alternator is generating some rattling noises which I am assuming
are from bearings. My questions are two. Is this something that needs
immediate attention? Two, are these alternators an over the counter
item at the local NAPA store or can I expect problems locating and
finding? This is for the 3208NA engine. I am tempted to tackle this
myself. I don't have a swing out radiator but it would appear to me
that I can reach in from either behind or over top the radiator and get
to this. But before I started I thought perhaps I would ask for any
information relative to what I might encounter. If I would have to pull
the radiator I likely would pass on the project. I know the belts are
involved but it would appear that there is room to work. I realize its
a little difficult not being able to look at my exact situation but any
info would be appreciated. Even if its a don't do it.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC converted to diesel.

[Harold Prescott]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> The alternator is generating some rattling noises which I am assuming
> are from bearings. My questions are two. Is this something that needs
> immediate attention? Two, are these alternators an over the counter
> item at the local NAPA store or can I expect problems locating and
> finding? This is for the 3208NA engine. I am tempted to tackle this
> myself. I don't have a swing out radiator but it would appear to me
> that I can reach in from either behind or over top the radiator and get
> to this. But before I started I thought perhaps I would ask for any
> information relative to what I might encounter. If I would have to pull
> the radiator I likely would pass on the project. I know the belts are
> involved but it would appear that there is room to work. I realize its
> a little difficult not being able to look at my exact situation but any
> info would be appreciated. Even if its a don't do it.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC converted to diesel.
>


John,
Sounds to me like that alternator needs to be replaced. If it locks
up going down the road there is a very good chance all the engine
belts will be thrown off in the process.
You should be able to R&R the alternator from the top with the
radiator inplace. It' will be a tight work area....lol
If the engine belts haven't been replaced in a year or so they should
be considered for replacement also. In that case the radiator will
need to come out.

good luck,

Harold Prescott
FC35
Northern California

[davidkerryedwards]

I understand the Leece Neville J-180 is a bolt on replacement and readily
available.

Kerry
82 Fc 35
Denver

[bubblerboy64]

Thinking a little more about this I wonder if the noise I am hearing is
the pulley rattling on the shaft. I guess I better get the thing off
and have it looked at. Thanks for the info. Any further thoughts?
John Heckman
1973 FC
Central Pa
>
> I understand the Leece Neville J-180 is a bolt on replacement and
readily available.
>
> Kerry
> 82 Fc 35
> Denver
>

[Richard Hayden]

John,
That's probably a good idea. I took mine out and to the shop just to get it
checked out. I didn't really think anything was wrong. Well - the bearings
were going out and it didn't put out the full 160 amps, only about 100. They
had a rebuilt for sale that was exactly like mine so I got it and kept the old
one for a spare, knowing that it needs to be rebuilt someday. I was surprised
that they didn't want the old one for a "core". Anyway, I'm glad I did it.

Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: bubblerboy64
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 10:19 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: alternator issues


Thinking a little more about this I wonder if the noise I am hearing is
the pulley rattling on the shaft. I guess I better get the thing off
and have it looked at. Thanks for the info. Any further thoughts?
John Heckman
1973 FC
Central Pa
>
> I understand the Leece Neville J-180 is a bolt on replacement and
readily available.
>
> Kerry
> 82 Fc 35
> Denver
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[erniecarpet@...]

John, I wonder if your idler pully is failing? John Finn had one of his go
out on his recent trip north. They are readily available.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[pattypape]

John,

Start digging and remove bolts and other parts until the Alternator
is free to remove. have the alternator checked at a shop, inspect
all belts and pulleys, This is a necessary maintenance issue, do it
now or on the side of the road.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> The alternator is generating some rattling noises which I am
assuming
> are from bearings. My questions are two. Is this something that
needs
> immediate attention? Two, are these alternators an over the counter
> item at the local NAPA store or can I expect problems locating and
> finding? This is for the 3208NA engine. I am tempted to tackle
this
> myself. I don't have a swing out radiator but it would appear to
me
> that I can reach in from either behind or over top the radiator and
get
> to this. But before I started I thought perhaps I would ask for
any
> information relative to what I might encounter. If I would have to
pull
> the radiator I likely would pass on the project. I know the belts
are
> involved but it would appear that there is room to work. I realize
its
> a little difficult not being able to look at my exact situation but
any
> info would be appreciated. Even if its a don't do it.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC converted to diesel.
>

[worktohobby]

Hello,

It is a real pain in the rear to do in place w/o the radiator gone. I
used new fastener to make reassembly easier, some fastners a both hard
a painful to get at. Been there.

Bad bearing could place the belts under enough additional load to
fail; and they say if one cuts loose the others will get cought in the
mess. You may be in the middle of nowhere when this happens... Then
you probably will have to remove the radiator, drain it, etc.

On ebay I picked up a 140 amp leece neville, new not used or rebuilt,
for a dollar an amp, delivered. No complaints. Make sure your mount is
a J-180 or what have you. Anything over 160 amps you will pay a
premium for. This was all for a 1980 BB. Use matched belts.

Regards,

Don Duncan
1987 PT40
Beaverton, Oregon

[bubblerboy64]

I am thinking along the same line Ernie because it comes and goes.
Obviously this will need to be attended too. I have some time at the
end of the week so stand by I may need some coaching on this. I am
pretty good at taking things apart and for the most part getting them
back together but it does seem that on a lot of these projects there
is that little bit of information or tool that you need to get it
done right. And again I appreciate all that you guys have done for me
from the beginning.
John Heckman
1973 FC
Shippensburg Pa



>
> John, I wonder if your idler pully is failing? John Finn had one of
his go
> out on his recent trip north. They are readily available.
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Mt
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-
new AOL at
> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[John]

John,

One tool that I found very valuable in removing the idler pulley and
it is also handy when adjusting new belt tension on the idler pulley
also, is a hinged box end ratchet wrench, this will allow you to do
all of the adjusting and removal of the backside nut while you are
positioned in front of the engine, of coarse this is if your 'Bird is
equipped with a swing radiator. I can't bend my wrist as far as I
used to and reaching back behind the mounting bracket, from
underneath in my case would have required another person and I was by
myself and my beagle was of no help at all...as usual, other than
moral support.

On my 'Bird I was able to see the idler pulley and its destroyed
bearings from under the engine, while I laid on the ground looking
up, there was a small area that allowed me to see it. You can see the
condition of my old idler pulley by going to the link for my trip
photos in my signature below.

You can also view details of my problem solving of the idler pulley
in my trip BLOG link.

John Finn
Finn's Inn Express
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
"ON THE ROAD IN THOMPSON, ILL."
TO SEE THE PHOTOS OF MY 2007 SUMMER TRIP GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/80800665
CHECK OUT MY BLOG AT;
http://iamflagman.blogspot.com/
WELCOME TO THE "FINN'S INN Express" REMODELING ADVENTURE
TO VISIT, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

//////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> I am thinking along the same line Ernie because it comes and goes.
> Obviously this will need to be attended too. I have some time at
the
> end of the week so stand by I may need some coaching on this. I am
> pretty good at taking things apart and for the most part getting
them
> back together but it does seem that on a lot of these projects
there
> is that little bit of information or tool that you need to get it
> done right. And again I appreciate all that you guys have done for
me
> from the beginning.
> John Heckman
> 1973 FC
> Shippensburg Pa
>
>
>
> >
> > John, I wonder if your idler pully is failing? John Finn had one
of
> his go
> > out on his recent trip north. They are readily available.
> >
> > Ernie Ekberg
> > 83PT40
> > Livingston, Mt
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the
all-
> new AOL at
> > http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>