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Hey ya'll - I'm trying to do a really simple rewire job on my 3G alternator and have run into an absolutely maddening roadblock.
Does anyone know the size of the chassis ground on the back of the alternator? None of the spare bolts and screws I have seem to fit and I can find ZERO info online. Everything talks about what size grounding wire to use, but not what size the hole is - and none of the kits I found include a grounding screw.
I'd normally just take it to the auto parts store, but we are under this **** quarantine, so I'm trying to order it online.
I have never seen a ground on any alternator. I have seen studs and spots for one, but in a OEM application it's never used, the alternator is grounded through the mounting bolts and brackets and then the engine block has a large ground going to the battery. That's probably why you are having a hard time finding any info, no one uses a separate ground.
If you think you need a ground for some reason, just put one under one of the mounting bolts or drill a hole in one of the brackets and add the ground.
That is very interesting. I'm using this wiring harness from Painless. (https://www.painlessperformance.com/wc/30831) And they make a big deal out of grounding the alternator using this chassis ground. There is clearly a spot for it on the back of the alternator, as it's got a threaded hole, but that would explain why I can't find any information on it.
I suppose they have no idea what it will be used for, and want to be sure the alternator is grounded. That alternator is a newer design made in the metric era, so I am going to assume the hole is something metric. They have different thread pitches on the metric bolts also, so that throws another variable in the hunt.
I see no reason why you can stick that ground wire under one of the mounting bolts or drill your own hole some where on the bracket and mount it with a nut and bolt.
There is clearly a spot for it on the back of the alternator, as it's got a threaded hole, but that would explain why I can't find any information on it.
Since you're doing a modification there won't be any factory information. All you can do is measure the diameter of the bolt hole and order a couple bolts near that size and try them. My guess is it's likely a metric thread around 8mm.
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