I need help. Can anyone tell what the alternator should look like on my 1971? So far I have have bead blasted it and rebuilt it. My question is, " What color should it be? Natural (after bead blasting} or should I paint it an aluminum color. Also, is the fan painted a satin finish? Does the pulley get painted?? My can't seem to finf anything in my judging manual.
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Re: alternator 1971
Frank-----
You didn't mention several critical things in order to answer certain parts of your question. First, what is your alternator part number and what is the date code on it? Second, what engine do you have and is the car power steering and/or A/C equipped? Last, what is the build date of your car (from the driver side forward pillar post-mounted trim plate?
As far as the alternator case finish is concerned, for a very-close-to-original finish you'll need to send it off to one of the premium rebuilders like John Pirkle for a chemical restoration of the original finish and "re-skinning". This process restores the out-of-the-mold finish for the case halves.
Otherwise, if you've already bead-blasted it or if you want to do it yourself and wish to bead blast it, I recommend that, after bead blasting, you can impart a very decent finish to the case halves by spraying them with a VERY LIGHT mist coat of satin finish polyurethane. In my opinion, this imparts a simulated "skin" as the original case half had when new.
You ABSOLUTELY don't want to paint the case with aluminum paint; that will not result in anything like an original finish.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: alternator 1971
Joe, Thanks for the imput. You asked some critical questions about the alternator in my 1971. Here are the facts: PT# 1100950 42 AMP alternator, the build date is 1E26 (May 26, 1971). The VIN# on my car is 194671S121086. This is a late car. Trim Plate L07 (Jul 7, 1971, 976 (Mulsanne Blue) and 412 (Dark Blue Vinyl) interior. It is a 350/270 HP, Build Date VO622 (June 22, 1971). The car has fiber optics and amber parking light lenses. The great thing about this car, is that I traded a 1975 yellow t-top for this car, (even trade) no money. I have put a lot of time and effort to get the car back to original condition. It is however not a candidate for Top Flight or any other awards. I hazve won a lot shows with this car. It is a strong #2. This car has some interesting history but that is for another time. Thanks again!Comment
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Re: alternator 1971
Frank, I'm interested why you think your car isn't a candidate for flight judging. You say it's a nice car, strong #2 condition. Sounds like a car we would like to see and judge! (You have a rare 950 Alt.I looked for one for two years!) Why not have the car judged at a chapter meet just to see how it would do?
BobComment
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Re: alternator 1971
I agree with Bob. I had a 70 Big Block car that was a #2 condition car(not a strong #2) and it achieved a Regional Top Flight without driving points. If a car is properly preapred you will be amazed how well it will do in the NCRS system. Go for it.Comment
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Re: alternator 1971
Frank------
Your alternator should have a "3 spoke" drive end case (the drive end case is the front case half with the "numbers" stamped into it). The split ring case half (the rear case) should be a GM #1846523. This case half has 3 parrallel, rectangular slots (with rounded ends) for diode bridge cooling and a pattern of small, short slots for regulator cooling. It does not use the "finned" arrangement as do the earlier cases. The reason that I asked about the build date of your car is that if it were an early 71, it might be possible that it would use the 70-style case halves. As late as it is, I doubt it.
The alternator fan used with your car is a stamped steel unit of GM #800594. This fan is zinc plated. It does not have an integral or attached pulley.
I'm not completely sure which pulley that your application used. However, it should be one of 2. My best guess is that it is a fabricated steel pulley of GM #1949357. This pulley is 2-3/8" OD and has a groove width of 3/8". It is zinc plated.
The other possibility is a machined steel pulley of GM #3844100. This pulley is 3-1/4" OD and is zinc plated.
For my "research purposes", which pulley do you have?In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: alternator 1971
Joe, thanks for the info on the pulleys. The one on my alternator is a machined steel, zinc coated pulley 3 1/4" diameter. Thanks again. I also have another question: I am going to install a new set of ignition shielding on the car. I have to start from scatch as there were no spark plug heat shields on the car. I already have the heat shields (GM Restoration). My question is where can I find a good diagram of how to install the ignition shields? The Assembly Manual is not that good in showing placement of all the various shielding components. Also where is a good place to purchase the igniton shields? Thanks again.
Frank Oster #28596 faovette@buffnet.netComment
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