alternator replacement (Page 2/2)
Mike in Sydney FEB 22, 07:34 PM
Glad to help. Us boyz from NC gotta help each other out. I had an "86 SE 2M6 notchback and changing the alternator on it was a b@#$h. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the alternators on the GTs will last a long time before I have to change them or rebuild them.

Did you use the CS130 conversion? I believe it's a bit smaller and will give a little more room when reinstalling. The idle pulley conversion sound like a winner, too.
Kitskaboodle FEB 22, 11:32 PM
Yes, CS130 is the way to go.
Here’s a helpful hint about the alternator bracket.
Yes, you have to remove it but just to be clear, when you re-install, you put the alternator in first, rest it on top of the cradle, then install the bracket with the bolts hand tight, then install the top alternator long bolt, then the bottom alternator bolt and then the serpentine belt and then snug everything down. And yes, mine is an auto V6 too.
I’ve done this job a good 3-4 times now.
Oh and don’t leave out the heat shield or your alternator will live a short life.
Kit
Patrick FEB 23, 12:31 AM

quote
Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:

Yes, CS130 is the way to go... Oh and don’t leave out the heat shield or your alternator will live a short life.



As you're no doubt aware, the heat shield for an SI alternator does not (properly) fit a CS unit. I'm curious what is then used as a heat shield when the original SI is replaced by the newer style CS on a 2.8 Fiero?

css9450 FEB 23, 08:17 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

As you're no doubt aware, the heat shield for an SI alternator does not (properly) fit a CS unit. I'm curious what is then used as a heat shield when the original SI is replaced by the newer style CS on a 2.8 Fiero?



I think there is room in the marketplace for a manufacturer (Rodney perhaps?) to make an '88-style heat shield (for those who don't know, the '88 heat shield is a stamped piece of metal that bolts to one of the exhaust manifold bolts if I remember right). I've even seen a lot of '88 Fieros where the heat shield was missing or bent/damaged, so I think the demand is there.
86fierorestoproject FEB 23, 03:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:

I had an "86 SE 2M6 notchback and changing the alternator on it was a b@#$h. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the alternators on the GTs will last a long time before I have to change them or rebuild them.

Did you use the CS130 conversion? I believe it's a bit smaller and will give a little more room when reinstalling. The idle pulley conversion sound like a winner, too.



I have the same model of Fiero, 86, SE, black, automatic, notchback. Also, no I didn't convert it. we are gonna install the replacement alternator on tomorrow as i need the car to drive to school thursday. (tight schedule, i know) i am going to do the idler pulley convert as the belt squeal is ANNOYING. also, did i do the quote correctly? im new and therefore don't know how to use things on here. the GT alternator might last longer. depends on when it was last replaced. I wish you luck with your GT journey!

Thanks for all the help!
Patrick FEB 23, 07:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by css9450:

I think there is room in the marketplace for a manufacturer (Rodney perhaps?) to make an '88-style heat shield (for those who don't know, the '88 heat shield is a stamped piece of metal that bolts to one of the exhaust manifold bolts if I remember right). I've even seen a lot of '88 Fieros where the heat shield was missing or bent/damaged, so I think the demand is there.



It's held in place in three locations... but yes, I agree. I'm surprised that someone hasn't offered to supply these shields, especially seeing that it's very common for the superior CS alternators to now be replacing the older style SI alternators on the '85-'87 2.8 Fieros.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick in This thread:

The '88 (CS) alternator heat shield is pretty simple. I think it would be easy enough to make an effective heat shield with some constructive cutting/shaping of a small sheet of aluminum.
pmbrunelle FEB 23, 07:53 PM
Apparently CS alternators aren't very DIY-rebuildable, so I was scared away from them.

I rebuilt my SI alternator, and it was easy to do with basic tools. No regrets with staying on this architecture.
Patrick FEB 23, 09:46 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:

Apparently CS alternators aren't very DIY-rebuildable, so I was scared away from them.



Good point... for anyone who wishes to repair rather than to replace their failed alternator. I posted the following last year.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick in This thread:

The problem with these CS alternators is, although they're more efficient than SI alternators, they're not serviceable like the SI alternators are. Instead of paying five bucks to easily replace something like a diode trio, I'll probably have to replace the entire alternator. That kind of sucks.



However, in that same thread, I went on to describe (starting from Here) how I was able to repair my '88 Formula's CS alternator by using parts swapped over from a CS alternator salvaged from my scrapped '87 duke.

IMO, replacing an SI alternator with a newer CS unit is definitely worthwhile for anyone who does a lot of stop and go city driving. Reason being that the CS alternator is much more efficient than the SI unit at low RPMs.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-23-2021).]

Kitskaboodle FEB 24, 01:12 AM
I made my own heat shield using a Fiero V6 spare ignition coil heat shield.
Will try to take a pic of it when I can.
It’s either that, an 88 only heat shield or header wrap. Don’t run without one. The heat generated by the exhaust is too much not to run one,
Kit