Gowesty Alternator fix kit

dubbified · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:41 pm Post subject: Gowesty Alternator fix kit

Hi,

I've reassembled my engine with the gw alt fix kit, which has less than 5 hours of run time.

The bolt they sent seems to be very low grade for the application, and has stretched, let go, and caused issue with the alt, requiring I replace it.

Problem is, no one seems to carry Metric carriage bolts, let alone a M8 x1.25x80, in any form of strength.

The minimum bolt that was on the alt, was a 8.8 if I recall.

I find it highly odd they chose this bolt, considering you cannot go down to Ace, Home depot, Lowes, Mclendons, Tacoma screw, Stone way in ballard, Mcmaster-carr or any other retail bolt location.. literally get looked at oddly when I say Metric+carriage.

What to do?

madspaniard · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject:

I would go back to the source, call GoWesty and explain this same issue to them, that would be the easiest thing to do at this point
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

dubbified · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject:

wallanoise · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:03 pm Post subject:

Stetched? Do you have any pictures. After well over a year, mine is holding tight without issue.

dubbified · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:11 pm Post subject:

For some reason this isnt showing. editing into another window.

Yea, I called GW, they're sending me two bolts, they're really quick about that, just the main issue, is what if this occurs again.. Anyone know of a source which sells grade 8-10 carriage in this measurement?

It does appear that this website has a T-bolt of 10.9 grade.

http://estore.jwwinco.com/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=A80382

Yea.. pretty certain this will cease to be an issue if I replace the hardware with 10.9. I also called GW, and asked them to source a higher strength bolt to keep this from causing larger issues with other people.

buildyourown · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:20 pm Post subject:

Stoneway Hardware. Way out of your way but they have lots of weird metric sizes.
Why does it need to be a carriage bolt? From the pics on GW's site it looks like you could use a regular bolt and reach it with a wrench for tightening.

Ahwahnee · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:48 pm Post subject:

vanagonjr · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Gowesty Alternator fix kit

teej · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:04 am Post subject:

I broke the carriage bolt too when I installed the kit about a year ago. Stuck in a hardened metric hex bolt instead, no issues.
_________________
1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2659

my alternator bracket cracked in half, I welded it back together and while I was at it I welded the nut on the back pivot ear so I could put the bolt in from the rear...i.e. the side facing you looking through the engine hatch...err, my hatch is wider than your licence plate door Confused

anyway, now I don't nee to fumble with the nut on the front (front being towards the front of the vehicle) while I thread the bolt in.

anyway, solid as a rock now. and easy to take apart and assemble.

for the time being, can you go with a piece of 5/16" all-thread and two nuts with lock washers ?

dubbified · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:03 am Post subject:

Pascal · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:48 am Post subject:

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1273_235/alternator_bracket_fix.html

I bought the one from Van Cafe this spring and I see that they now changed the description for theirs saying that Go Westy makes them. I thought I was getting the newer black version because that is what they had on their site, but I ended up getting the stainless version...with the carriage bolt. I have not installed it yet because my '84 does not have the mounting holes in the heads.

found this bolt while doing a quick google search:
http://www.fastenal.com/web/search/products/_/N-gj4watZjuegxrZjuetedZjueltz&No=10 looks like the one that should be used.
_________________
'84 Westy - 2.2wbx, GT Torque-Biasing Differential
'91 EA Cabby

vanagonjr · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:06 am Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:35 am Post subject:

Belmetric.com
McMasterCarr.com

Plenty of metric hardware...and than some.

dubbified · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 11:48 am Post subject:

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject:

dubbified · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject:

I called them before I started this thread, they dont carry them.

No worry though, I have a 10.9 grade coming through.. this just isnt a problem for me anymore.

Main issue, this issue affects others though it seems.

seanjenn · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 3:35 pm Post subject:

I have the stainless version with carriage bolt. It's been on there since September and has about 6k miles on it so far. No issues yet, but now I'm gonna keep an eye on it. Thanks.
_________________
1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd

dhaavers · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject:


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