Hello all,
Sorry to post something that has probably been asked a 100 times before but couldnt find anything through search. I am away at college and the alternator on my 89 Chevy Camaro IROC died on me quite suddenly (whine then voltage dropped to 8 on the dash display) . I don't have any tools or any manuals on me so I am not quite sure of what is needed. I have a breaker bar on the way for the serpitine belt, and I beleive I'll need a 15mm wrench also, but what else will I need? I think there is a torx bolt (not sure) on there too? Can anybody give me an exact listing of what I need to change an alternator on an 89' Camaro 5.7L Serpintine setup?

Also on this subject is there any type of bolt in replacement that has higher capacity then the 105A that can be located pretty easily?

Thanks,
Martin

 

You will need as you mentioned, a breaker bar, an adjustable wrench for the post on the alternator (can't remember size of nut), and the torx bit is either a #40 or #45 and a ratchet and short extension. The parts store should have higher capacity alternators in stock. And last but not least, disconnect the battery before you start.

 

the torx is actually a #50, i just did mine two days ago, the bolt that is on the left as you look @ the car is a 10mm, that and the torx are the only two that hold the unit in the car, the positive post on the back of the alternator is best loosened with an adjustable wrench. any old breaker bar will do, you dont need a specific one, if u look on your belt tensioner there is a little square hole in it that kind of resembles the hole in the back of 3/8 drive ratchets, well guess what.. it is!! if you get a long piece of metal piping and a 3/8 ratchet, youve got a breaker bar ;-) it took me about 10 mins to remove it in the autozone parking lot, so have fun and good luck ;-)

 

There are two different sizes to the adapter on the belt tensioner. 1/2" and 3/8", the original one that came in my car was 1/2" and the aftermarket replacement was 3/8".

 

i didnt know about the 1/2 one.. heh, all the ones ive dealt with are 3/8".. the one on my camaro, my astro van, my dads buick lesabre... whichever one it is, it will work

 

im pretty sure your setup is identical to my 91s..

i managed to change it in the parking lot with nothing more then a set of baby vice grips and a ratchet..


the bolts are really easy to get to, but they're torx.. (donno the size) i just didnt have a set in my roadside kit when i needed them...

just incase you dont have the right size torx, bring a set of vice grips.. you can break the bolts loose by grabbing them from the outside... as long as you tighten them tight the first time, they wont slip and make it look all ugly.

 

MrDude ur engine description makes me laugh. haha

 

Thanks all for the quick responses. Just ordered a 140A Powermaster from Summit, and now should be able to borrow the right tools.

Thanks Again,
Martin