Would you replace the alternator?

I pulled my alternator at noon today instead of having lunch, getting ready for starting the snout coupler replacement at noon tomorrow. MAN is it a mess on the backside injectors/valve cover area, YIKES!

Anyway, once I had the alt removed, I found there is some internal squeaking when I turn the pulley by hand. Not a grinding sound like bad bearings, and it turns smoothly and easily. There are also no apparent charging issues, it seems to function perfectly. I do have radio interference from time to time, that I believe can be a symptom of an alt problem.

I don't notice any sqeaking noise with the engine running. This alt is a reman Delco-Remy unit, NO idea when it was installed. The previous owner's notes do not mention an alt replacement, but has many other details, so it could have been an early failure replacement.

Would you guys go ahead and replace since I have it off already? Maybe would be worth seeing if NAPA can bench test it first...

And what's up with "clock position"? On NAPA Online, they list a number of 98 Riv alternator choices. Delco Remy says it is a 7 o'clock position unit, another says 8 o'clock, another says 7:30. Can someone explain the clock position info?

Clock position indicates the direction of the plug on the back and positive terminal. The same alternator can fit different positions by assembling the front and back halves at different rotations. It depends how many bolts hold the case together as to how many clock positions you can have. Your '68 has 4 possible clock positions, the '98 3.

Oh, and I would NOT replace the alternator unless you are having a voltage problem.

deekster_caddy wrote:

............ Your '68 has 4 possible clock positions, the '98 3.

So any of the 3 possible positions will "work" ok on my 98? I hear ya on not just jumping to replacing it. It's just a temptation while I have it out already. With the engine running and hood up, I don't hear any odd noise from the alt, just when I turn it by hand off the car.

Tomorrow's fun at noon will be siphoning out the year old SC fluid so I can pull the snout, maybe get both done in one lunch.

No, you will not be able to connect the wires in the other 2 clock positions. Technically, yes they would still work, and you can always take an alternator in the "wrong" clock position, open it up and rotate it to meet your needs. This allows the parts stores to carry less alternators, yet service more vehicles. It is considered acceptable for a parts store to open up an alternator in front of the customer and correct the clock position to meet their needs. I've done it many times

I would not replace the alternator.

Bert

Ok, got it, thanks Derek. (not an electrical whiz here...)

I'm going to put the old alt back on after doing the snout coupler, then get out my multimeter and check voltage readings, just to be sure it's charging adequately.

I would consider replacing the bearing in the alt. Bearings available from rockauto.com.

I have replaced 2 alternators for failed bearings, never had an electrical problem of any note though. Just no access to an arbor press to swap the bearings.

Albertj

albertj wrote:

.... Just no access to an arbor press to swap the bearings.

Albertj

Same problem here. It's not a big deal to pull the alternator, so if I have problems later on, I'll deal with it then I guess.

Just wanted to note, I rechecked the old maintenance info I have from the PO, and the alt was in fact replaced at about 44k miles, so it's got about 75k on it now, a reman Delco-Remy from the dealer.

Hey Dave..i wouldn't change it either.

Not until it makes noise. And at that point..maybe go down and get it some fresh bearings.

Eh, my "shop" isn't equipped to replace bearings. Advance Auto says it's putting out 15+ V so I'm not too worried about it right now. It's given no indications of problems, other than a bit of a squeal turning it by hand when I had it off.

Dave, I noticed my alt having the same problem as yours. Are you still running it, if not how long did it last?

98riv wrote:

Dave, I noticed my alt having the same problem as yours. Are you still running it, if not how long did it last?

When my current alternator got squeaky I made a mental note to replace it (as I wrote earlier I've no arbor press to R&R the bearings) and after a while (months) it stopped squeaking.

I DO NOT recommend 'wait and see' for a repair strategy, and I wonder if the real problem is I got the bearing wet when I washed the engine time before last. But yeah, it quit squeaking after a couple months. It has been quiet for almost a year now.

I hate when the alt bearing squeaks because it is so darn loud.