Alternator electrickery

[Mike Biddle]

Due to having a wider cambelt system fitted to my engine the alternator can no longer sit where it was so needs to be relocated. Needlsess to say that is proving very difficult, the only place it could possibly go is under the left cylinder bank and it would be a very tight fit involving lots of compilicated fabrication due to the fact that are very few mounting points vaialable and they are not in convenient positions.

 

There is however quite a bit of room in front of the engine, and it would be much easier to fabricate a mounting, BUT that would mean mounting it the other way around, with the pulley facing the engine.

 

So, question is, can I run the alternator backwards?

 

Edited by - mike biddle on 3 Dec 2011 18:09:28

[John Vine]

I'm no auto-electrician (one will no doubt be along soon), but my guess would be yes. The only problem I can foresee would be cooling, as the fins would be running the wrong way.

under the left cylinder bank

Not something us mere mortals encounter very often, of course.

 

JV

[John Vine]

Just found this, which may help.

 

JV

 

[Mike Biddle]

Thanks John, it seems that running backwards is not a problem as long as the issues of cooling, and potentialy, the pulley coming loose, are resolved.

[elie boone]

You can secure the pulley, other you could use Loctite or drill between axe and pulley tap and use a headless screw. Just a note that if you do drill it would be useless as a exchange unit but it would be the best way to secure the pulley.