alternator pulley rub

[iamdonquixote]

OK!
I did a search but still have some questions that I want answered in semi real time.

I had a POS 90 amp EMPI alternator lying around. I put it on an engine last night and found that the pulley rubs against the face of the alternator.
The pulley I was using was one of those with the USA stamping in it, it seems of decent quality, I took it off a very tired engine where it worked fine with a stock generator.

I compared the EMPI alternator to a BOSCH model and found the BOSCH model not to have this problem.

I searched and found various spacers available but I am unclear how they fit. They seem to have a gap in them for the woodruff key. The shoulder that stops the pulley seems too far from the key for a small spacer to work.
Can someone tell me where they got the spacers and how they put them on to solve this b**sh problem?

I realize now why I had problems on the road one day when my bus with the alternator started chewing up pulleys.

I just want to understand where to get the right spacers and how to install them.

thank you!



thanks

[iamdonquixote]

anyone?

[dnegel231]

( any other problem with your Alt not withstanding....)
CB Performance has pulley shim kit part #1915.
you get 4 alternator/generator pulley shims and 4 crank pulley shims in the kit.
Each shim is approximately .040 thick.
The inside diameter of the shim is the same as the Alt. shaft diameter.
it also has a "notch" for the key.
(of course you have to remove the back half of the pulley), slide on shim, slide on pulley, check clearance.
If still rubbing try another shim.

[BugMan114]

i bought my alt from orielys, and it came with a spacer. it was more of a collar that went around the shaft. the origional alt shaft had a step in the shaft, so there was no need for a spacer. the new one had the spacer to make it the same as the origional. not sure why they put a spacer instead of just making it with the step like the origional in the first place. seems like more effort and money to add a collar, then to just make it right in the first place. sometimes i wonder if these aftermarket companies are run by a bunch of dumbasses. maybe they forgot to put the step in, and solved it by adding the collar, sort of a quick fix. either way, makes you wonder what else they may have fucked up.
_________________
1974 Super Beetle: Custom resto in progress
1972 Super Beetle: Daily Driver
1971 Std. Beetle w/ 1929 Mercedes Benz Gazelle kit
1960 Baja Bug
1969 Baja Bug
Sand Rail- Homemade
Sand Rail- FUBAR

Aircooled Airheads

Why the hell do they call it a gland nut. its obviously a big fat bolt!!!

[BOBCAT64]

I've got an alternator from o'rilley and it didn't come with any spacer

[grncbr]

I just used a washer. The pulleys are keyed to the alternator/generator post, so there's no need to worry about the washer causing things to slip. Seems to work fine on mine, doesn't look like pulleys are out of alignment. But that's also why I drive around with a big screwdriver, a tire iron, and a new belt.
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1974 Standard Beetle
AT IRS Transaxle
AH Engine Code 1600 DPI
34 Pict 3 Solex Carburetor
SVDA Pertronix Pointsless
1974 CA emissions intake & exhaust
BugPack Header and Hide-Out Muffler

[jfats808]

Lots of aftermarket alternaters now have 2 or 3 ribs on the face. I remember having to grind them flat so the back of my alt pulley so it wouldn't rub. Had to do this for both engines to clear.
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2276 IDA's 86C 11-1 DD

[SRP1]

[mark tucker]

yup they need a spacer, some have it some dont, and some have the rong size key&key way too.even the new bosch I had was junk.the china alts have way outlasted the new bosch they replaced.

[FISHFACE5]

I have a factory alternator and all of the sudden started rubbing on alt. I took the pulley apart , went to Home Depot and bough a 5/8 washer ( $0.45 ) and installed it, rubbing & noise went away.


1995 mexican Bettle

[Bashr52]

[Brentonodon]

I think I'm having the same issue with the rubbing. Here are some shots of the damages. Left me stranded down in Los Padres a few months back. The rubbing had gotten bad enough that the motor wouldn't turn over which is what made me aware of the issue. I fixed it on the side of the road with a washer and made a new spacer when I got back home. However, the spacer I made has since bit the dust (shouldn't have made it from aluminum, )

Here's a quick video showing the rubbing.
https://youtu.be/o4VOc4LN9o0

Also, the spacer (aluminum) I think has mushed apart and has mechanically locked the pulley to the shaft via that woodruff key. Got a new alternator and pulley kit coming from CB. I'll keep you posted on it getting installed and what parts are required.