I have a couple of "problems" with the alternator installation on my 1990 3.9 +8.
Firstly, I noticed that the alternator belt runs close enough to the lower rad hose to touch it each time the engine is revved. So much so that a previous owner had fitted an aluminium sleeve to protect the hose. Is this "normal" or has something been changed along the way to cause the problem?
Then, in the process of replacing my dead cooling fan (which was the start of all this voyage of discovery), I decided it would be a good idea to fit new hoses, and that the best way of getting to the bottom hose would be to remove the alternator. Not much room to get at the mounting bolts, is there? Getting it off was a pain. Re-fitting will be even more so. The adjustment link sits hard up against the bottom hose, so that will need tweaking and maybe a couple of spacers fitting at each end to move it forwards. I appreciate that Morgans are low volume vehicles and will have their foibles, but I want to check if somebody along the way has messed things up since it left the factory!
I really dislike designs that are harder to service than absolutely necessary so I'm contemplating replacing the alternator with one of the compact Denso items I have used on other cars. Should give me more options it terms of position to ensure the belt misses the hose, and have more room to work around it.
Any similar experiences? The cooling fan is being replaced with a SPAL item BTW. To get the original Kenlowe item out I have to cut off the fan blades or risk savaging the rad fins. The SPAL replacement is a good inch slimmer...
