Of course it is expected to have lower amps with an underdrive pulley on the alternator. However, I have been looking at http://www.alternatorparts.com/ and they have some high output alternators if anyone is interested. Now if I am right if the alternator has an internal regulator it should keep the charge at 12 volts right? So if I got a 170amp alternator it would still charge at the 12 volts I need.

Another issue I have is with oil consumption. I have a little over 154,000 miles on my 88' and I put in about 2 or 3 quarts in the engine between oil changes. I change the oil about every 3 months or 3,000 miles whichever comes first. The weird thing is the car leaks no oil, there is no visible smoke, and has passed emissions each time it's been checked. Where in the world could the oil be going? I know the engine burns a little and yes it has high mileage but still. There is no oil under the car wherever it sits as well. I use 5w30 in the car and I've been told I should be using the thicker 10w30 to reduce oil consumption. The car engine runs better with 5w30 and eats oil, however there is no smoke. Oh well it's just weird it seems to be a mystery.

 

I'm sure there is probably smoke when you accelerate or start the car that you'll never see yourself unless someone else is driving the car. If there is no leak, there is no other explaination.

 

Don't you think if there was smoke during acceleration it wouldn't pass emissions? In Virginia where I live they use a treadmill to test the car at like I think 15mph and 25mph. I was thinking maybe I just couldn't see it. Do you think I would be able to see the smoke if I gased it while in park?

 

Hey josh,
I'm glad I don't live in your part of Virginia, I have enough trouble passing inspection without it (my truck that is).
If the car burnt 2 - 3 quarts every 3000 miles, I think there would be noticable smoke. Have you checked the valve covers for leaks? They could leak oil down the bell housing and spread the oil so that it looks like there are no obvious leaks. Just a shot in the dark. You should probably be using 10w-30 with your milage.

 

I looked at the Valve covers for leaks, I guess I should look closer again to see if there are any. It wouldn't be too hard of a job to replace the gaskets if there were a leak there.

 

My problem is when my car leaks oil, it only does it after the engine is good and warm. So the oil leaks out the back of the valve covers and onto the exhaust, where in turn in burns off. I never the the oil, but I can tell that's what it's doing by the color of the pipes. Also, when I checked my valve covers, at first I didn't see anything. It wasn't until after I crawled up underneath did I see the residue on the back of the engine.

Hope that helps.

Damn centerbolt valve covers.

 

I checked them cold, but still if the oil is leaking onto the exhaust you would smell oil or see smoke. Under the car on the back of the oil pan there is a lot of grease and it's oily. I usually wipe that clean at each oil change and it comes back. I've been told before it could be a rear main seal so it seems to be one of those things that is impossible to find.

 

You won't smell it if your moving. I guess is could be the rear main seal ( $$), but it also could be the oil pan gasket. Just a thought though.

 

Plus, in my experience, a rear main seal always leaks. If it's your oil pan gasket, it might just splash out little here and there when your under acceleration.

 

Although I would think I would see some sort of residue from the oil somewhere, I don't see anything.

 

It's probably that residue that you keep wiping off. If your using 5W30, that's a pretty thin oil. It's not like it's going to stay caked on the pan.