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Spinning alternator the opposite way: How to cool?

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Old Sep 15, 2002 | 03:05 PM
  #1  
Guido's Avatar
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana
Spinning alternator the opposite way: How to cool?

Okay we took an alternator to The Zone HAHA today and tested it. It will charge being rotated the opposite way.

Now, how do I cool it?

Reason I even want to mount it the opposite way is that im running into packaing problems with my turbo project. Motor plate makes it difficult to mount an alternator in there.
Old Sep 15, 2002 | 04:30 PM
  #2  
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That's odd as your alternator should charge both ways; not just one. Maybe I just took what you said wrong and you meant it would charge in both directions...

Anywho, We did the same thing you are doing on a buddy's car. Believe it or not, we have no cooling fan part on the alternator anymore. We used a CS case alternator and it is coupled to the engine via a coupler on the crankshaft and some custom brackets. It has been going for quite some time now; maybe his cooling fans help keep the alternator happy...

Ryan
Old Sep 17, 2002 | 11:07 AM
  #3  
Dave C. '97 Z28's Avatar
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Thumbs up Alternator

Since the alternator is an internally AC device with a bridge rectifier, it will charge spining either direction. Also, if you're lucky enough to have a late model alternator off an LT-1 Camaro with the plastic fan behind the pulley with straight vanes, it will also draw air throught the alternator the correct way no matter which direction it's spinning.

-Dave C. '97 Z28
Old Sep 18, 2002 | 12:57 AM
  #4  
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I don't think he's concerned about the charging part, but more the fact that the blades on the fan(behind the pulley) push the air in one direction when spun one way, and in the opppsite direction when spun the other way.

Is there anyway you can take the fan off and put in on backwards? Or you could see if the blades can be bent the other way? That's the best I can think of at 2am.

Dave
Old Sep 18, 2002 | 07:30 AM
  #5  
Dave C. '97 Z28's Avatar
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Like I said in my post >>

If you have a straight bladed fan like in the late model Camaros, you can turn it either direction with the same effect. The air will still pull through it.

He can swap the fan on his with one from a late model car (the 140amp version) from the Z28's. (or even my '91 Eldorado has the same thing).



-Dave C. '97 Z28
Old Sep 18, 2002 | 08:14 AM
  #6  
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Thumbs up

Thats the good news I was looking for!


Thanks fellas!
Old Sep 18, 2002 | 09:41 AM
  #7  
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Re: Like I said in my post >>

Originally posted by Dave C. '97 Z28
If you have a straight bladed fan like in the late model Camaros, you can turn it either direction with the same effect. The air will still pull through it.

He can swap the fan on his with one from a late model car (the 140amp version) from the Z28's. (or even my '91 Eldorado has the same thing).



-Dave C. '97 Z28
The late model LT1 alternators are 140amp? i didn't know that....from what years?
Old Sep 18, 2002 | 09:51 AM
  #8  
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140 amp >>

I believe they are 140 because the guy at the alternator shop who rebuilt mine said it was a 140. As far as what years got them? I don't know exactly... but I can tell you that my '97 came with one...and my 1991 Eldorado's alternator has the same housing and fan (whether or not it's a 140 I don't know, although I would guess so because all the computer stuff in th car.).

I think that all V-8 F-bodies from '93 to '97 have them. The fan is a black plastic flat fan that is behind the pulley rather than the stamped metal angle finned one people are used to seeing on the older cars.

-Dave C. '97 Z28
Old Sep 18, 2002 | 02:34 PM
  #9  
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From: Kissimmee/Orlando, FL
Re: 140 amp >>

[i]Originally posted by Dave C. '97 Z28
I think that all V-8 F-bodies from '93 to '97 have them. The fan is a black plastic flat fan that is behind the pulley rather than the stamped metal angle finned one people are used to seeing on the older cars.
Close I think its more like 94-97. My 93 has a 110amp alt with the stamped metal fan you're describing. I'm pretty sure they went with the newer style starting in 94.
Old Sep 19, 2002 | 10:51 PM
  #10  
Highlander's Avatar
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From: San Juan PR
140Amp Alternator began at mid 94'.

It was standard on b4c and 95+ and some late 94came with them
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