Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pump

[Juliet P.]

It's FIXED! :) Some of you might remember the thread I started about my Alternator Belt rubbing excessively on the power steering pump. First I would like to thank Terry McManmon and Joe Lucia for their informative & detailed information. It was a big help. :)

The root of the entire problem was the belts. The prior owner had installed incorrect belts. The current GM belts were about an inch shorter (both PS belt & alternator belt replaced) and had a different angle and construction. They fit down into the pulley grooves better and are solid on the back side (unlike the old incorrect ones which were notched).

In the process I purchased a different alternator, not the 100884 "correct" one (Can't affoard $500-900 now), but at least it's a corvette, correct amperage one. The prior one had a bearing going bad (heard it with the stethoscope). I also confirmed all the pulley dimensions and numbers where visible without dissassembly and those appear correct to these untrained eyes anyways. ;) I suppose i'll find out for sure next month when I have it judged at the Glen Burnie meet for my pre-restoration benchmark. Thanks! ~Juliet


Juliet's 1970 Corvette

[Terry M.]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

Juliet,

Pleased to hear you solved the problem. Good Luck at the chapter meet.

Terry

[jbs&5]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

You should be able to find an automotive electric rebuilding service in your area. They generally will be able to rebuild your old alternator much more reasonably than 500- 900. I've had this done a no. of times.

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

Jim----

I think that Juliet is LACKING the original alternator. That's where the big $$$ comes into play. You see, in the old days, when Corvettes were just "drivers", when folks needed an alternator, they took their old one down to the local auto parts store and got a rebuilt replacement. That worked just fine, but the original alternator was lost to them. At the time, though, it was just about the least thing that anyone cared about. Even today, when most Corvette owners replace their alternators on late model Corvettes, they do the same thing, although a few afficionandos have learned from lessons of the past.

In any event, Corvette alternator part numbers are unique to particular years, although the same numbers may be used on other GM passenger cars of the same model year. Also, for 1969 and 1970 the configuration of the front and rear cases were different and different from later years, too. Compounding the problem was the fact that for 1969 the internal regulator, SI series alternator was UNIQUE to Corvettes, so ALL originals of the part number and configuration had to have originally resided on a Corvette(or a SERVICE part built that year). Making matters even worse, the 69 and early 70 alternator drive-end cases(the ends with the "numbers" on them) were very weak. Many broke and most rebuilders, when they found one in their core stocks, would discard them as a risky rebuild prospect.

So, 1969 alternators, especially the sought after "825" or "882" units, are among the rarest of Corvette parts. 1970 model alternators, like Juliet's, are next in the rarity "hierarchy".

[jbs75]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

I didn't realize it wasn't the original unit; or that they are rarer than gold for that year! I had to replace the alternator on mine(old one has bad bearings); BUT I kept the old unit for future rebuilding.

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

Jim-----

For 1969 alternators, which are the rarest, I've confirmed at least one case in which a 69 was stolen and, when it was shortly recovered, the only thing missing was the original alternator. In fact, after that, I immediately removed and stored my original alternator so as not to present a "theft incentive" for anyone. The alternator is not all that important to me, but the car is!

[Juliet P.]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

As Joe pointed out, unfortunately before I purchased the car from it's original owner (in 12/99), the 100884 alternator was recycled into the big core parts bucket in the sky.... the same place socks & misdirected e-mails go. :) I've since learned about rare vette parts and supply and demand... which is why my original unfunctional coil with almsot 6 Ohms (should be 1.7) is sitting on the shelf, and not in the trash can. Maybe some day someone will rebuild coils. :) Very well said Joe! ~Juliet


Juliet's 1970 Corvette

[jbs&5]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

You and Joe will love this(if you don't cry). Thirty five years ago, when I was stationed in Naples Italy. I had a friend with a 54-55 corvette ragtop. The engine was going bad, and the rest was not in great shape. I followed him down to the junk yard; a block away he poured a box of sugar into the tank, and drove it in! I found out later (we ALWAYS find these things out too late) that it was "qualified" for a free trip back tothe old US.

Jim

[Jim T.]

Re: Follow up on rubbing Alternator Belt on PS Pum

Original owner of 1970. The original alternator was replaced under warranty and the replacement is a #1108885 dated OJ8. I believe the original was a 61 amp alternator and the replacement is a 63 amp. I remember the service rep telling me when I picked up the car after the replacement that they put a more powerful alternator on. I assume the original 61 amp wasn't available. Wish I had requested a copy of the service order so I would now know the date this occured.