There is a lot to be said for a truck that tells you that something is wrong....and then makes sure to get your butt home. On my way to work today I noticed that the alt meter was showing a little lower than usual. I sort of dismissed it and mentally thought that I better go have the alt checked for good measure. Tonight when I left for home after work I fired up the truck and the belt for the alt let out a nasty squeal. I killed the engine and decided that I better tighten that up a tad before leaving. I thought to myself that was the cause for the low amp readings on the meter. I popped the hood and checked the belt tension. Sure enough...quite loose. So I proceeded to loosen the adjustment bolt and pry on the alt to tighten the belt. Things seemed a tad too floppy for my likes and I wondered if the pivot bolt had been this loose all along. I attempted to cinch that up...no luck. The danged pivot bolt was broken off flush with the block. !#$#%^!!! I removed the remaining part of the bolt with my fingers (such luck..must have guardian angels). I wire tied the alt up out of the way. Removed the belt. Said a few short prayers..and gave the dashboard a few loving pats...and left for home. Driving at night...with very dim headlights. The old girl made it with voltage to spare. I am thinking that I may replace that bolt with a stud and nut. Might be better. Thank God that I didn't have all the electronic bells and whistles of a modern truck. Prolly wouldn't have made it.

Cheers.

 

Dang! You are very lucky to have the skill and tools to do something like that, I commend you. Let us know how the stud and nut work out. Let this be a lesson to us all to always listen to our trucks wants and needs and to check on things that "don't" need checking on sooner.

 

Make sure you have the brace that goes from that bolt to the water pump installed. I broke several bolts before I realized I had forgotten to put the brace back on.

 

What I have is a bracket that has two 3/8 x 16 bolts. One threads to the water pump....the other goes thru a tube spacer and threads to the block beside the timing cover. This bracket has the adjustment slot in it for the alt clamp bolt. The pivot bolts goes thru this bracket then thru the alt body...then thru a short tube spacer...then threads into the block. Is there some other brace other than this bracket. I didn't think so...but now I wonder.

Thanks
Bill

 

what engine and what year?

 

Sounds different from mine.

 

The engine is a 1972 429. The alternator is mounted low on the passenger side. Single v-belt.

Thanks
Bill