What's the eta for changing an alternator? 2 hours or so? How difficult is it? shop around here wants to charge me 190 for labor on the alt when I'm thinking I can probably just change it myself. Any input?

 

i think you only need a 10mm 12 and 14. make sure to disconnect the batt neg first. not a hard job. cant say i have done one on a car with the air pump on it though...

 

Well, I dont have my ALLDATA up to check what book time is but there is no way it would be over an hour for an experienced mechanic. I changed the belts the other day in about 30minutes and replacing the alternator would have taken about 10 extra minutes extra. All you need is 10/12/14/19mm sockets, a few extensions and a a pry bar or large screwdriver to wedge it out. PM me if you need details. Just make sure you put that $190 away for future repairs. Good luck.
David

 

If you can't do the alternator on your own, I hope you have a lot of cash for all the other repairs you will be making.

 

haha thanks, that's what I was thinking, definitely not blowing 190 on changing the alternator..I'm looking to replace the turbos myself eventually too...that'll be a fun task.

 

Geez, 190 to change out an alternator?? I need that job!

 

Double post.. sorry.. damn forum is acting up..

 

Ill drive up and change if for 100, Its not hard and takes no time at all. Dont waste your money, that way you can buy some of my left over parts.

 

A mech. shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes tops, to replace the alt. w/new, definitely not 190 damn dollars.
There are only 2 bolts holding it, the bigger one on bottom 14mm and the top one that adjusts the tension to the belt 12mm and the elec. connectors.

Super easy, don't go to the mech. you can do it on you own, just take your time, you'll be done before you know it.

 

A shop's motive is profit. Hence, wanting to charge "book time".

They obviously don't have experience in changing out a rotary's alternator, otherwise they would have said, "book time is 2-hrs, I'll charge you 1-hour).

I would say about 1-hr of shop time is fair.

 

how hard are the turbos? I'm sure i have to replace those...

 

do it on your own, im not very mechanically inclined, but still managed to do it w/in 15-20 mins, if i can do it, you can do it too

 

How many miles you got on your turbos, are they smoking or leaking at all, no reason to change if they don't, unless you wish to upgrade.

If you are a mechanicaly incline person (not neccesarely a pro), with proper tools, you should be able to remove the turbos in 4-5 hours max., taking your time and not damaging other stuff, and around the same time to install new ones back.

I swaped few twins in one afternoon, r&r, in 5-6 hours time (taking my time of course), and still had the time to go for a test drive.

 

I'm sure it's easy to change out the alternator and put a new one in, but what about getting the tension on the belt just right? Is that just by feel? You obviously don't want it too lose or too tight... I haven't changed one myself... just wondering...

 

About an 1/8th inch of play is good..

 

Yeah, knowing the tension on the belt would be nice... But for the turbos, I'm almost positive one is blown. It's whistling so loud and I am leaking oil which could be the oil return lines so I'm just gonna replace those anyways. I bought a used pair of stock twins that I'm gonna throw on there temporarily til I buy some bnr or pettits

 

Changing the alternator is actually quite simple on an FD because of it's location, all you need to do is remove the cross-over pipe from the turbos to gain easy access to the other bolt that holds it on. I did this job in about 30 minutes when replacing the pulley with the greddy unit. As for the tension, you can do it by feel if you know what you're doing. If you don't, you can buy a tension gauge to measure this. (You can probably rent one from Autozone or Advanced).

 

I have access to a lift and all the tools that I really need...just would like someone there that's done something like it before to kick me in the shins if I'm messing up

 

Replacing the turbos aren't that bad of a job. Just remove all the airbox stuff, airpump, Y-pipe, and downpipe. Then you'll have a clear view of the turbos. Just be sure to use a lot of rust penetrant as the bolts that hold the downpipe and turbo will probably be very hard to remove

 

You are set than, if you get stuck on something and need help, just shoot me a PM...
I'ts pretty much a straight forward bussiness, make sure to get some zip lock bags for the nuts and bolts, mark them so you don't get confused of what goes where when time comes to put them back, and just don't rush, enjoy...

 

Yeah, I'll have to do it over a weekend. Car is my DD right now and i'm trying to get it all repaired up so I don't have to do some maintenance on it for a while and I can save some money.

 

have you guys always had to use a pry bar to get the alternator off/on? I got all the screws off and everything but that left side of the alternator hangs on that air pump

 

That's normal.