Alternator advice (454)

[Mortska]

Hi, can anyone advise on a suitable replacement for my tired alternator. I have a 280 motorhome with a gas 454 - there's not many of them about over here in the UK. Here's some info on a part I can source over here, any good do you think?
Alternator 100 amp Polished v belt£114.89
Click to enlarge PWM-27294 Brand: Powermaster / Product Line: Powermaster Street Alternators / Advertised Amperage Output: 100 amps / Alternator Case Style: GM 10si / One Wire Capable: Yes / Pulley Included: Yes / Pulley Style: V-belt / Regulator Included: Yes / Regulator Style: Internal/ Belt Included: No/ Alternator Brackets Included: No/ Alternator Finish: Polished/


Maybe a bit fancy for my needs....
Regards, Adam

[swebster]

Adam,
It looks like it would work...but make sure you have a "V" belt for the alt....mine has a flat grooved serpentine belt. Not sure what the 280's had on it.

Seems like a polished show alternator is a spendy solution to your problem. Is there any other way you can get a "stock" alternator over there?

[overlander63]

Welcome to the forums.
You can buy an alternator here, and have it shipped over, for what if my mathematical abilities still serve, is considerably less than 114 pounds.
Also, the pulley is removable with an impact gun, and a 15/16" socket, just make sure you are holding the cooling fins with a shop towel so it doesn't spin, and become a lethal frisbee.
There is amp rating, and clock position, to take into account as well.

[Mortska]

Thanks for the advice guys. I do indeed have a flat grooved belt system. Yeah, especially with the exchange rate right now of £2 to the dollar I'd be mad to buy an overpriced shiny unit over here. Just got the fear of shipping as a friend of mine shipped $1500 worth of parts and the shipping came to almost as much again. Apparantly it's calculated by size and not weight and the box was huge, poor guy.
Any recommendations on a good retailer? I also need a manifold to downpipe gasket.
Adam

[overlander63]

This is probably your gasket:
1982 : CHEVROLET : P30 VAN : 7.4L 454 cubic inch V8 4BBL (W) : Exhaust : Exhaust Flange View Advice ItemPriceCoreTotalAdd to Cart WALKER Part # 31923 {RH}
Before 1-1-85; Do Not Use w/Fed. Emission Control or H5D EmissionsMore Info$4.56$0.00$4.56

And this is a list of alternators from the same company, I have added email and phone links for you:

BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1866013
Alternator, Remanufactured, 63 Amperes;1 V-Belt;Connectors At 3 O'clock;1 Per CarMore Info$30.79$10.00$40.79
SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 71273 {Remanufactured - May Not Include Pulley}
Standard w/o AC; Amps: 42; Clock Position: 3:00
Standard w/AC; Amps: 63; Clock Position: 3:00More Info$27.99$18.00$45.99 OE+ Part # 71273 {Remanufactured - May Not Include Pulley}

Standard w/AC; Amps: 63; Clock Position: 3:00
Standard w/o AC; Amps: 42; Clock Position: 3:00More Info$36.99$10.00$46.99 REMY Part # 20039 {Remanufactured - May Not Include Pulley}
with Air Conditioning; 63 Amps; CAUTION: Pulley Change may be RequiredMore Info$39.79$10.00$49.79 REMY Part # 20038 {Remanufactured - May Not Include Pulley}
without Air Conditioning; 42 Amps; CAUTION: Pulley Change may be RequiredMore Info$40.79$10.00$50.79 ACDELCO Part # 3342112 {63 AMP #19135670}
GENERATOR,(REMAN) DELCO 10SI (63 AMPS)More Info$44.79$7.00$51.79 NSA Part # ALT1010A {New}More Info$71.79$0.00$71.79 ACDELCO Part # 3342133 {80 AMP #19135691}
GENERATOR,(REMAN) DELCO 27SI (80 AMPS)More Info$83.79$8.00$91.79 SPECTRA PREMIUM Part # 7135M {Remanufactured - May Not Include Pulley}
w/Optional Heavy Duty; Amps: 80More Info$72.79$20.00$92.79 ACDELCO Part # 321259 {66:AMPS #10495434}
GENERATOR,(REMAN) w/42 AMP(K79)
GENERATOR,(REMAN) w/o A/C MAN CONT(C60)More Info$80.79$12.10$92.89 BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1886013
Alternator, New, 63 Amperes;1 V-Belt;Connectors At 3 O'clock;1 Per CarMore Info$102.79$0.00$102.79 ACDELCO Part # 32139 {63:AMPS #01979865}
GENERATOR,(REMAN)More Info$89.79$14.00$103.79 OE+ Part # 7135 {Remanufactured - May Not Include Pulley}
w/Optional Heavy Duty; Amps: 80More Info$69.99$37.00$106.99 BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1866068
Alternator, Remanufactured, 100 Amperes;1 V-Belt;Heavy Duty;Optional;1 Per CarMore Info$85.79$30.00$115.79 BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1886068
Alternator, New, 100 Amperes;1 V-Belt;Heavy Duty;Optional;1 Per CarMore Info$159.79$0.00$159.79 ACDELCO Part # 32149 {80:AMPS #01979868}
GENERATOR,(REMAN) w/80 AMP(K97)More Info$194.79$14.00$208.79 BOSCH Part # AL530X {May Not Include Pulley}
Std. wo/AC; Reman
Std. w/AC; Reman* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 7 business days *More Info$48.99$17.00$65.99 REMY Part # 91751 {Remy New Gold}
42/63 Amps; CAUTION: Pulley Change May Be Required* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days *More Info$76.79$0.00$76.79 BOSCH Part # AL530N
Std. wo/AC
Std. w/AC* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 7 business days *$88.79$0.00$88.79 CARDONE SELECT Part # 377127SE3
Replacement Part has Self Exciting Regulator; 63 Amp Replaces Original 42 or 63 Amp* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 2 business days *More Info$112.79$0.00$112.79 BOSCH Part # AL544X {May Not Include Pulley}
w/Opt. H.D.; Reman* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 7 business days *More Info$102.99$55.00$157.99

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[guy99]

Be sure you are getting a high enough capacity alternator. Based on my experience if you don't, you will end up replacing the alternator often. As I recall, I put three in before I figured out that I wasn't putting in a big enough unit for my usage. Here's a thread which summarizes my experience and has a pointer to the source I used (which was recommended by a forum member)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...rce-21067.html

[Mortska]

Well, I have just ordered the Flange from Rockauto at $4 and 18 bucks shipping - all in it's still pretty good for this side of the pond. From the problems I have been having it looks like a higher output alternator is required. Driving at night around town with the wipers on has had me running at well below 10v if the coach battery's were not tip top. Also I'm gonna start taking the fuse out of the auto step when not in use - I read someone found this solved a battery drain issue. Our step pops in and out willy nilly while driving so I've neber really trusted it.
Thanks again, this forum rules!
Ad

[ALANSD]

I had a 280 and used the high amp output alternator from alterstart.com
These run about $100 american and are well worth it.

I forgot to mention also- check all wiring especially near the manifolds for any shorts from burnt sections.

[swebster]

Mortska,
Sounds like you have something else going in in your electrical system. When you get the new alternator installed, try disconnecting the battery with the engine running. If you see the volts go up then you have a drain or something going in with your batteries or system.

[Mortska]

yeah I have long suspected some kind of short, the step thing is odd, also if I turn the dash lights up I see a significant drop in voltage - I put this down to a faulty dial... maybe not?
Alan - I have my 280 in a barn some 200 miles from where I live so it would be really helpful to know the exact digits of the unit you bought and I will order the same. Need to be road ready for a family vacation in a couple of weeks.
Cheers, Ad

[ALANSD]

Originally Posted by Mortska

yeah I have long suspected some kind of short, the step thing is odd, also if I turn the dash lights up I see a significant drop in voltage - I put this down to a faulty dial... maybe not?
Alan - I have my 280 in a barn some 200 miles from where I live so it would be really helpful to know the exact digits of the unit you bought and I will order the same. Need to be road ready for a family vacation in a couple of weeks.
Cheers, Ad

sorry I gave the wrong web address. If you email them and tell them what you have they will tell you the parts available. Their stuff is excellent.
They have starters that are heat proof ...also

(Alterstart Systems Inc - ) Alterstart Dallas Texas

[Beginner]

Remove the one of the battery terminals.
Get a dash light bulb, yea one of those baseless ones.

Test the bulb by placing one terminal on one battery post and the other terminal on the other battery post. It will light if the bulb is good. Keep trying to light the bulb until you are successful. This is important.

Connect one terminal of the proven good light bulb(I usually use a socked gleaned from a junked auto side light) to the just removed battery cable.

Connect the other light bulb terminal to the battery post.

If the bulb lights then you have current draw.

If the light does not light, you don't have a draw.

You also havent taken a chance on damagingany electronics on the vehicle.
Beginner