it doesn't really look burned....more like it hit the top of the alternator...maybe the previous owner had the insulation sag on him and it happened then? Can you see it it has been glued to the good?

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

The underhood insulation might be aftermarket. Shouldn't it go all the way up to the front? I just went out and looked at mine, and it's quite a bit different then yours; not sure if it is because I have a Z28 though.

If it is aftermarket, it's probably made contact with the alternator.

The color of the alternator and th epeeling on the power steering pulley .... could that be from water? Would also explain if the insulation was replaced.

Thomas.

 

Well I went and tugged on the insulation to see if sagging was a problem, and its pretty dang tight and there appears to be no glue. The hoods are different on the z28/ta so that may be why it looks after market but I don't know for sure.

 

BTW, anyone like my ghetto rigged elbow !dong delete. It was actually cracked so I just removed it and tapped it up as a temporary solution...its been there for two years now lol.

 

really? i have never seen one fail in the "on" position, usually they just wont engage or the bearings make noise

are you sure that was not caused by a mouse or something living in there, is there any nut shells or anything around the motor

 

Never thought about that, but it coulda been a mouse. The car sat for a while to only have 30k.

 

Looks like the alternator blade is hitting the insulation. Remember, the motor will twist under load especially if the motor mounts are weak.

 

Isnt that some mighty big twist?

 

If the hood liner sags, it won't take much to have the altenator outter blade to touch it. I am only talking about the alt blades/fan (for lack of a better term) at the back of the alt pulley that pulls air to keep the alt cool, not the part where the belt rides on. The blades are as tall as the altenator itself. And there is not much clearance between the alt and a sagging liner. I have the same problem on my 97.

 

Yeah I think your right about the on position thing. It might have just been the heat from the bearing failure.

 

There is NO indication of burning, but certainly looks like it's been wet more then once. Looks to me like the insulation got wet, and sagged, or maybe someone sat on the hood, and the alt. pulley ate it. Or the fan belt broke and took a junk out of it.
You should be able to line up the hole with either the belt or pulley. There is really very little room between the alt. and the hood.
This is one of the reason I don't like underhood insulation. If your concerned just remove it. All of the SS's came without any hood insulation.

 

Whats the point of the hood insulation...to prevent fires? Does it help the engine warm up in the winter?

 

Helps to keep the hood cool and the paint from pealing.

 

i stripped my underhood insulation 3 yrs ago and no paint peeling or any defects. thru drag autox stop/go in 90 F ambient, jet hot longtubes it's hot. i think it actually improves airflow underhood