1990 e350 ambulance alternator
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1990 e350 ambulance alternator
hi all , I have a retired 1990 ford ambulance type III (the ford van front end with big box) with 7.3 diesel. My alternator has stopped working a few hundred miles ago and Ive been driving it since (generator keeping batts charged and supplying my dc power) . it stopped working for 50 miles, then came back to life for the next 30 then went out . Upon removal, I see the negative side post has somehow broke and was losely hanging in the hole where it goes (picture) . the little piece of metal broke too going from the post to the box part on the back of the alternator, that connected it to the negative side of this box thing (voltage regulator?)
it appears the negative post was soldered in there as I dont see any threads in the hole, but there is threads on the bolt that went into it that the negative battery cable attached too. How would somewon go about fixing this. I was thinking about threading the hole and putting a bigger post in, then putting it back in the truck and see if it works or not. Heres the picture
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thanks
Mark
it appears the negative post was soldered in there as I dont see any threads in the hole, but there is threads on the bolt that went into it that the negative battery cable attached too. How would somewon go about fixing this. I was thinking about threading the hole and putting a bigger post in, then putting it back in the truck and see if it works or not. Heres the picture
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
thanks
Mark
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well maybe if give me 250$ for a reman Ill replace it. I dont know how old it is and I have money that can be spent on a vacuum pump that is out on it too and been using an electric vacuum pump for a race car to keep the power brakes working. Besides, why replace something this expensive, when it can be fixed this simple problem, who knows, might have 50k, or 100k left in it. Or who knows, it might have been replaced once. Maybe your the type that just has money pouring out his pockets and throws away everything thats broke, even know it needs alittle part. Things can be fixed or rebuilt if you didnt know.
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From: Bicknell Indiana
Well sir you were a little hard on Jim there. But since you are not using all the lights and medical equipment couldnt you opt for a smaller lower cost Alt. I bought a rebuilt alt for 80 dollars it works just fine or if you have a auto elect shop close by ask if the can do a repair and not a rebuild. if that is not a option then pull it and try to fix it yourself Im sure Jim did not realize the expence of a Alt. for your type of van it blew me away when you said 250 bucks I love to make repairs rather than replace also so just do it and see what happens. good luck to you sir
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I must apologize i didnt mean to be hard, i was just explaining boldly my situation and that this thing is expensive . rebuilt ones go for 190-250$, and a new one from the maker Lance neeville alternators is in the 600-800 range. Theres still alot of lights on the truck that i want to keep using (halogen scene lighting all around the truck, and halogen lights all in the cab) . the negative post broke off, but ive thought about it. since its all grounded, i can just put the ground the negative on a bolt holding it on. Also I have looked into a smaller one, which would be more pain fabricating it to work, as the mounts arent the same. Also the truck has 4 car batteries and a big 7500 watt inverter i need the high output amp for too. thanks for replies.
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From: Bicknell Indiana
From what I see it looks like there are insulators at that hole is that what I am seeing? if the are insulators then i doubt it is a ground and you say a ground wire goes there is it from the battery?
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Fleet Owner
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
It would seem you're in a tough spot with all this. Your high electrical demand vehicle requires that specialized alternator----keeping its full capabilities as you describe leaves you little choice but to rehab or replace the Leece-Neville unit you currently have.
Any reputable automotive starter/alternator rebuilding shop could probably rehab your unit back to nearly new for much less than your quoted $600-800. I'd look for a shop that has an in-house rebuilding service----they're accustomed to repairing rather than just new sales.
Perhaps the Leece-Neville site's parts break down would be helpful: http://www.prestolite.com/pgs_produc...ory_select.php
Best of luck with your project!
Any reputable automotive starter/alternator rebuilding shop could probably rehab your unit back to nearly new for much less than your quoted $600-800. I'd look for a shop that has an in-house rebuilding service----they're accustomed to repairing rather than just new sales.
Perhaps the Leece-Neville site's parts break down would be helpful: http://www.prestolite.com/pgs_produc...ory_select.php
Best of luck with your project!
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From: Rockport, IN
You may get lucky and find that alternator in a junk yard. And yes, you definitely reacted a bit strongly towards the other poster. The simple truth is that you have a specialized vehicle with specialized parts that cost more than regular parts. That's something to take into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. That's why I've never purchased a police model of the Crown Vic or a former ambulance. Like I said, try some junk yards there in your area. Also, if repairing the alternator just involves some soldering, look up videos on how to solder. It isn't difficult to do and soldering guns aren't too overly expensive. Good luck and keep us posted.
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From: Bicknell Indiana
I did some checking and found this, just in case you cant fix yours. A 1990 ford E350 alt All sub. models emergency veh. with external reg. Leece Neville $141.99 with a $45.00 core so you can get one for $144.49 plus frt. www.theautopartsshop.com check it out I believe they sell parts to repair yours too good luck with it I really hope it works out for you
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I did some checking and found this, just in case you cant fix yours. A 1990 ford E350 alt All sub. models emergency veh. with external reg. Leece Neville $141.99 with a $45.00 core so you can get one for $144.49 plus frt. www.theautopartsshop.com check it out I believe they sell parts to repair yours too good luck with it I really hope it works out for you
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alternator
thanks all for the reply. Ill keep that website in mind if my fix doesnt work. I took the unit over to a friends thats good with this stuff and we cracked it open, and found out the end of the negative post had melted off inside the case. So we drilled the melted stuff out, put in a bigger post. I did some checking too cause they had a problem with early model ford ambulances catching fire, but mine wasnt in the list. I just wont run with everything on all at once anymore or maybe i have a short somewhere, but the thing has circuit breakers all thru out the electrical system and none have tripped off before. 
but i guess if it melts off again, ill have to get a new one, or start looking for a short somewhere, i see why they have a place in the cab for a fire extinguisher easy for the driver to get too. Newer ambulances dont consume nearly as much as older ones anymore mostly because of replacement of low amperage stuff,like halogen lighting is LED now, etc.
but i guess if it melts off again, ill have to get a new one, or start looking for a short somewhere, i see why they have a place in the cab for a fire extinguisher easy for the driver to get too. Newer ambulances dont consume nearly as much as older ones anymore mostly because of replacement of low amperage stuff,like halogen lighting is LED now, etc.
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