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Help Replacing Alternator

chakis24

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chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

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so my alternator needs replacing, and i think im gonna upgrade to a 160- figure why not for a few bucks more. is there a step by step instruction on how to change it myself, it seems like its easy enough to do- take the belt off, a few bolts, replace. my only concern really is the belt. i have the stock 145 amp, so i dont think moving to a 160 will be a big deal- but will i need a new belt too? or will the stock one be long enough? anyone have any experience? is mine auto tensioned? if so, how does that work? there are apparently different ways manufacturers do this (one has a separate pulley on a spring, or something about the alternator being on like a swing rod?). if i need a new belt, is there a size range i should stay within and if so what is it? basically if anyone can provide some sort of step-by-step it would be greatly appreciated.

 

thanks for the help in advance.

tylerjenkins92@aol.com Senior Enthusiast

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Posted
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It's auto tensioned with a spring, and if your truck cakme with 145 amp alt, the stock belt should work, unless the alternator is bigger in diameter than the 145. Which I don't think ,it will be.

chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

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It's auto tensioned with a spring, and if your truck cakme with 145 amp alt, the stock belt should work, unless the alternator is bigger in diameter than the 145. Which I don't think ,it will be.

 

so theres another pulley that auto-tensions it? so i can just take it off and put it back on and all should be ok? sorry if im sounding like a complete noob, but ive never done this before and i want to make sure i do it right.

tylerjenkins92@aol.com Senior Enthusiast

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Posted
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NO, look under the hood, passenger side and you'll see a plastic pulley. Put a wrench on the plastic pulley bolt and turn the wrench right, and watch as the belt de tensions. The tensioner will also move to de tension.

chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

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NO, look under the hood, passenger side and you'll see a plastic pulley. Put a wrench on the plastic pulley bolt and turn the wrench right, and watch as the belt de tensions. The tensioner will also move to de tension.

 

so right to detension, left to tension? or does it retension when i take the wrench out?

 

also, it seems that this would fit my truck: http://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/catalog/catalog_search.php

 

another site with part number calling it alternator: http://www.autopartstomorrow.com/parts/748

 

theyre just using generator and alternator interchangeably i assume?

tylerjenkins92@aol.com Senior Enthusiast

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Posted
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If you let go of the wrench, the spring will jerk the belt back tight. That's how it tension itself, the piece of aluminum that plastic pulley is bolted to has a spring in it, and it keeps that pulley tigh all the time. But, if you put a wrench on the pulley bolt and turn it right, the bolt won't turn but the aluminum base for that pulley does, thus making the pulley move and de tension the belt. You'll have to look at it.

chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

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k thanks, seems easy enough. also found out that my brother has a haynes manual so i'll be looking at that as well- hopefully it will help too.

 

now just to get an alternator.

chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

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Taking off the belt and changing the alt is the easiest thing in the world, you'll figure it out.

 

yeah- it seems like it. thanks for the help.

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted
It's auto tensioned with a spring, and if your truck cakme with 145 amp alt, the stock belt should work, unless the alternator is bigger in diameter than the 145. Which I don't think ,it will be.

 

so theres another pulley that auto-tensions it? so i can just take it off and put it back on and all should be ok? sorry if im sounding like a complete noob, but ive never done this before and i want to make sure i do it right.

 

This should help you.

chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

Posted
  • Author
Posted
It's auto tensioned with a spring, and if your truck cakme with 145 amp alt, the stock belt should work, unless the alternator is bigger in diameter than the 145. Which I don't think ,it will be.

 

so theres another pulley that auto-tensions it? so i can just take it off and put it back on and all should be ok? sorry if im sounding like a complete noob, but ive never done this before and i want to make sure i do it right.

 

This should help you.

 

 

sweet. thanks.

 

 

to add- does anyone have an aftermarket alternator? any brands i should stay away from? any recommended? should i be worried about getting a remanufactured one?

chakis24 Senior Enthusiast

chakis24

Posted
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If you got good long term results with the stock part, why are you wanting to change? Sometimes different is not better.

 

ken

 

i really didnt want to change brands, just wanted an increase in power. i couldnt find an ac delco dealer near me, none of the autozone and advance autos that came up on the ac site had anything in stock, and the dealer was worthless- i asked about upgrading to the ac delco 160 amp and they gave me some schpeal on how they dont recommend doing that for whatever reason, and that it might not fit and how i would need a new belt (like thats really hard to do) and that they only replace whats there blah blah blah so i was on my own. and i dont trust the internet if ive never heard of the site. sucks that theyre the only chevy dealer near me (theyre a half mile from my house- doesnt get much more convenient) or id be outta there.

 

so basically i got a duralast 160 amp from auto zone for 220, which includes the 50 dollar core charge which i'll get back. its lifetime warrantied too so im not too worried about it. i'll be putting it in on saturday (unless my current one craps out before then).

 

thanks again everyone for the help, i'll keep you posted on the install.

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