I've been having a problem with a whining noise from under the hood. Everyone I've asked (who has heard it) has told me what I suspected. Alternator. Possibly the bearings going bad because it will get loud, and then quiet down. not a regular intervals or anything. So we're going to replace the alternator this weekend.

Any general tips I should know as well as what type of alternator you guys would recommend would be a GREAT help.

Thanks ALOT in advance guys.

James

 

For a daily driver nothing beats OEM factory stuff, think of how long items are typically on your car before you start having troubles with them. Downside is inital cost, but I've learned over the years you'll end up buying 2 or 3 cheap auto store brand parts since they dont seem to hold up as long so it works out in the end.

 

out of curiousity what amp are the stock alternators?

they prolly very by years?

 

Usualy they based amps off car options, pwr windows/locks, A/C etc...got larger alternators. I picked up a 120amp for mine, just had to make new brackets so it'd fit, alot larger than the standard 65 amp mine started out with.

 

Instead of buying a whole new alternator, why not get the iceberg upgrade kit (like i did), it comes with new bearings, and you can either stick with your stock amperage, or upgrade it to 140 amps. Cheaper than buying a new alternator, and better quality parts than any OEM.

 

I'm going on a road trip to savannah on the 28th and I am trying to get the repairs done within the next week so I'm looking at what would be fastest.

Around-About what would it cost to get it from the dealer?

If I had to get it from a parts store (AutoZone probably) what would be a good brand etc?
Also is there any way to find out the amperage of my car?

And my last question is where can I get the upgrade kit and how long does it take to get?

 

Stay away from ANY parts store rebuilt alternators!!!! They are all junk as far as I'm concerned, if your in a hurry go to GM and get a rebuilt AC Delco one and you won't have to worry about going out in the middle of a trip. But I did the Iceburg conversion on mine.

 

I have a cousin who works at a parts store. We picked up a remanufactured Delco and it seems to be working fine.

 

IIRC, my original alternator (for a 5.0 HO) was 105A or so.

 

I'm taking the old alternator back to the parts store today. They can look it up by the last 8 digits of the VIN number. I'll find out toady what mine is, but I have an '86 TA. Maybe it'll be helpful

 

The Iceberg conversion is a MUST on any high output (great heat!!) alternator.
It consist of better, larger bearings, and cooling fins for the back of the alternator (usualy the back bearing fails!)
Some whining from the alternator, especialy when it's working hard, is not uncommon though.

 

heat kills bearings, as well as just normal wear and tear. The bearings dont care if the alternator is pushing out full current or none, it spins regardless. I did not need to change the bearings on mine when doing the iceberg conversion, this made the conversion very easy and quick. I kept the bearings though so when they do go, I have some to swap in. It's just a royal pain to press the new bearings on ...without the right tools.

 

Well, we found out today that the alternator was not the cause of the squealing.

I don't think it is but the water pump may be the possibility.

Could it be the bottom pulley?
I don't think it could be that either.

So I'm completely at a loss

 

Since you have an '86, it should be easy to remove the individual accessory belts to help isolate the source of the noise. I'd suggest starting with the air injection pump.

 

Air pump was the first thing to start squeeling on my TPI engine. That belt has been removed. About 2 years later, the AC, that belt has been removed. Just recently the PS pump but I can't live without that so I replaced the pump.

 

Well I dont' have a belt on my smog pump or my AC compressor. (Because It was near winter and I saw no need to recharge the AC because the guy I bought it from didn't have it working) and the smog pump has been missing it's belt for a LONG LONG LONG time, before I bought it at least.

Any other suggestion?