Community Forums

YC1 · 03-28-2013, 12:14 PM

Yep, new belt. The new alternator is screaming for power, it wants to work. It requires a good deal of power to turn.

I had Dodge 360s that ate belts. Had to use a 2x4 through the engine cover to hold alternator tight enough when installing. That was 25 years or more ago and have not had those issues since.

gt350ed · 04-06-2013, 03:03 PM

One more time to the top with a HUGE THANK YOU to all you "Vintage" folks. WOOHOO!! Houston, we have success. To those that posted most recently, the problem WAS the belt being too loose on the install of the new alternator. One of the problems of still working for a living is that my time for the RV is limited. So, although I did an R&R of the alternator, working alone I had trouble leveraging the alternator with a pry bar while tightening everything. As a result, what I thought was TIGHT was WAY LOOSE upon inspection this morning. With wife in tow (my lever), I was able to get the belt tight and tighten the bolts. Connected the battery, said a prayer and turned the key. Instantly the gauge reflected that the battery was charging and, DUH, the squeal was gone.

Thank you, thank you !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt350ed

Hello! I'm new to the forum and looking for some assistance. We are the original owners of a 90 1/2 Bounder that has almost always been garaged and has only 35,000 original miles. It is a 454 engine and GM chassis.

My problem is two-fold. The guage on the dash is showing a discharge, or at least that the alternator is not charging the battery. Although I'm not sure, this COULD be caused by the fact that I may not have my wires correctly hooked up in the engine battery/coach batteries area.

I have put a voltmeter on the hot lead of the alternator and with a good ground, I'm only getting a reading of 12.45 volts at a fast idle and revving of the engine. The battery is fully charged and I have read that if so, the alternator won't charge higher. Not sure about that.

I'm at a loss. I don't want to pull the alternator unless I'm sure that is the problem. As you are aware, pulling the alternator is a bit of a nightmare.

I'm asking for some direction before I turn it over to a mechanic who will charge an arm and a leg for the alternator R&R.

TQ60 · 04-07-2013, 09:48 PM

Glad you got it fixed!

The turning of the alternator pulley was passed to me from my first boss at the Texaco back in the 70's, never forgot that one as it has came in handy many a time over the years, in my Motorola life the ranchers would come in with "radio draining my battery" issues, most were the loose belt not allowing to charge, the "radio man" tightened quite a few belts back in the day...