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Alternator Swap; different pulleys
Topic Started: Jun 12 2010, 12:46 PM (1,495 Views)
garrambide
Avid Geophile
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Hi all. I have a 1990 red Geo Metro/stock 3cyl 1.0L. According to the haynes repair manual I need to replace the alternator. Twice since I bought the car I have had to jump start it and I notice I can't run GPS and Radar Detector on the cigarette lighter with out losing power temporarily.(I run 80 to 100 mph on my commute to work so radar detector is a big plus) With car running I am only getting 12v and change at the battery. My 97 Metro has a spare alternator that tested good at Auto zone. The pulleys are different. 97 has a v belt pulley and 90 has 3 grove serpentine pulley. I used an impact to take off pulleys. The v belt pulley has a spacer and the serpentine pulley doesn't. When I put the spacer on the back of the serpentine pulley it seems to leave a big gap. When I leave the spacer off the pulley seems to rub against the alternator. 1. Can anyone tell me how I can tell if the alternators a the same? They look identical except for the pulleys. 2. can anyone tell me if I need to add spacer? Thanks for any and all help. George
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Coche Blanco
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Troll Certified

I would be looking for a 3.52 transmission if I were you.
Edited by Coche Blanco, Jun 12 2010, 01:28 PM.
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iamgeo
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Big League

Have you thought about leaving for work a bit earlier?
Nothing like putting lives in danger just so you can sleep longer.
Have you actually had the battery and alternator tested?
Seems like you are just guessing at this point.
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wikityler
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Some say...

I was unaware that the later models used a v-belt. If it's the same as the v-belt alts used on the Mk 1 cars there is no way to swap over the pulleys.

PS: Seriously? 100mph on public roads? Getting caught would do you some good.
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MEgaTRO
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autobot

The whole speeding thing set aside.

From what i remember when i had my 90, the alternators should inter-change, the spacer is there because the v-belt pulley mounts from the center of the pulley and spans out in each direction, whereas the serpentine mounts on the outer edge and spans in, spanning too close to the housing, which causes the need for the spacer. switching the pulley with the spacer should be all you have to do to install the alternator. After installing the belt look to make sure it is aligned with the waterpump pulley and crankshaft pulley. If it isn't I am clearly wrong and its back to the drawing board.

Although before going through all the work to make sure that the alternator is actually bad, usually ur local parts store can test your alternator and battery output. ALso check the fuses to make sure that the problem isn't elsewhere.

Now I know that there are parts of the world where there are no speed limits.. Fallon probably not being one of them, but lets just say you could legally go 100mph.. The speed rating on the tires alone should be enough to not do that. They are going to blow sooner than later..
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garrambide
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I did have them tested at Auto Zone. The original one tested bad. The alternator with the v belt was in the back of my 97 Geo It tests good at Auto Zone. I do not know what car it came from but the back of the alternator looks identical to my 90 Metro. I just checked my 97 and it has a serpentine belt also.
As for going 100mph I do not do it when others are on the road, so I am only endangering myself. I take great pains to ensure I have good tires, a mechanically sound car and good seat belts. Sorry if my going fast offends anyone I do not make a habit of it but I do go fast on to ensure that if the time comes I can handle the situation and not panic. BTW I was just kidding about commuting at 80-100mph. I actually have a 100 mile commute and even at 40 mpg I need to save all the gas I can. I am usually the guy going 55mph to maximize my fuel econ. At 55 I am able to get 48mpg. I practice with my firearms for the same reason. Thanks again for any and all help. George
Edited by garrambide, Jun 12 2010, 01:45 PM.
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garrambide
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MEgaTRO
Jun 12 2010, 01:25 PM
The whole speeding thing set aside.

From what i remember when i had my 90, the alternators should inter-change, the spacer is there because the v-belt pulley mounts from the center of the pulley and spans out in each direction, whereas the serpentine mounts on the outer edge and spans in, spanning too close to the housing, which causes the need for the spacer. switching the pulley with the spacer should be all you have to do to install the alternator. After installing the belt look to make sure it is aligned with the waterpump pulley and crankshaft pulley. If it isn't I am clearly wrong and its back to the drawing board.

Although before going through all the work to make sure that the alternator is actually bad, usually ur local parts store can test your alternator and battery output. ALso check the fuses to make sure that the problem isn't elsewhere.

Now I know that there are parts of the world where there are no speed limits.. Fallon probably not being one of them, but lets just say you could legally go 100mph.. The speed rating on the tires alone should be enough to not do that. They are going to blow sooner than later..
Thanks for the help MEgaTRO you were dead right. I did just swap the pulleys and moved the spacer over. The alternator seems to be working fine the belt is tracking true. I going going to make a quick run to Reno to see if it will hold up and to get a replacement drivers side rear window. I blew out the last one when I broke 120mph going downhill over the Grapevine in L.A. and had the front windows open :lol ( I promise not to exceed 75 this time). Thanks for all the help, I hope I have not offended anyone with my poor jokes, nother reason I am not a professional comic. George
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Hey, it's NEVADA everyone. Nevada has the loneliest road in the states. wikipedia.org/U.S._Route_50_in_Nevada

Take a look at the speed limits in your state as of June 2010: http://www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx NEVADA is 75 mph. So everyone thinks law enforcement looks the other way at 80 mph and they do. :dunno

On the way to GPW I was doing a nice 60-65 in Idaho and the posted limit is 55 in Oregon. Yes 100+ miles at 55 mph. :smackface Good FE. Then you hit Nevada and at 65 I was passed by everything. I had no reason to do the limit at 75 mph unless it was to cushion the approach speed of the semi behind me, until he found a place to pass. I drafted off one at 80-85 mph for 10-15 miles which was fun. :D Seriously, the countryside is beautiful desert and I enjoy seeing the horizon once a year but even at 75 mph the scenery doesn't change that fast to keep your attention, which should be on the road anyway. George can tell you stories of when he was passed I'm sure. ;) ;)
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

I was going to point that out as well, having driven through parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona that are similar, coming from an area like New England where there are things like, oh, trees and curves and other traffic to keep you occupied, going through desert area is the drivers version of the 9th level of hell.

At one point, off in the distance going towards Sioux City, I saw a butte. It didn't seem like I was driving all that fast. In fact, it didn't seem like I was moving at all because it never did get any closer as far as I could tell, and I drove straight at it for 3 hours. 100 mph through parts of Nevada? I can totally understand it.
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