As a novice with mechanics etc I was thinking of just getting a local shop to fit the new alternator but the more I look at it, it seems like it should be a simple thing to do.

Can anyone advise if I'm wrong and if there is anything special to look out for?

Cheers

 

it's usually the easiest thing do do on a car. you'll need a 15 mm socket, a 13 MM socket, maybe a 10MM.

do you know how to take off your serpentine belt? it's a 15MM nut too, but it's easier to do that if you have a long handled breakover bar, or at least a long wrench

There's one wire on the back of the alternator held in place by a clip, slide it off with a small flat head screwdriver, the other wire is held in place by a small nut. probably 10mm. Disconnect the battery before you mess with that wire

 

Only problem may be, if everything doesn't line up, you have to spin the back cover. Which was very typical back in the day. AS GM made one alt, and just spun the back cover to line up for different location.

And spining the back cover can be a learning curve, as if done wrong the brushed fall out inside and it don't work.

Last time I had to do it, it took two tries to get it right.

 

what he should do is take off his old alternator first, and take it to the parts store to make sure the replacement is clocked just like the old one. he's probably going to have to turn it in for a core charge anyway, so that would save him a return trip and fronting the extra money anyway

that being said, if you ask for alternator specifically for your engine and car, you're probably going to get one that has already been clocked correctly... I bet 99% of the time

 

Hey Guys Thanks for the replies.

I already have the replacement as I don't live in the US and have order it. It looks identical and everything is in the same place so I will give it a go!

Thanks again.

 

They also use to clock it right for ya and check it before ya leave.
[but you lucky if they aren't looking in the light blub section for your spark plugs anymore ]
Could of been that I opted for the 108AMP upgrade alt and it was more uni fit, not pre clocked for ever car made.

 

if the engine is stock and the valve covers have not been changed, you shouldn't have to clock the alt; your parts stores should have the correct style alt and clocking available (the ones I used to sell when at advance auto would have a "-3", "-6", "-9" suffix to denote clock). drop in and go

 

disconnect the battery cable, so when you remove the power wire on back of the alternator, it doesnt spark on alternator or valve cover

 

do you guys usually just put a stock replacement on your cars or is there a better one out there that everyone is using ??

 

I don't know if there's necessarily a better brand, but I would recommend paying a little extra to get one with a lifetime warranty. As easy as it is to change, you'll save yourself a lot of money in the future if you are going to keep the car for a while.

Non-original alternators generally do not have the same life as an original GM. We've had cars that were purchased new and had the original alternator go for 15 years. Not uncommon to get a few years or less out of a non-original alternator, so you might as well pay a little extra the first time to have the peace of mind that you'll never have to actually buy another one again.

 

I know autozone gets a bad rap around here and other places, but this is one of the reason I buy from them.. almost everything has a lifetime warranty, and you don't even have to keep track of paperwork

 

Alternator completed.. a small job i realise but i'm happy. Don't understand why they needed 2 different bold head sizies on that one part though.. i always assumed that car manufacturers would standardise as much as possible for cost saving and ease of maintenance..

Any way onto the engine and transmission swap..