Thought I developed a vacuume leak but it turns out my alt. is making the whistling... Seems to be charging fine I took the belt off and it turns freely as well!!

Any ideas guys? I leave for Reno in less than 3 weeks, I guess I could pack a spare but storage is tight with 3 and bagage... Replace it? I will if I have to. Anyone run across this before? Is there an easy fix?

Thanks in advance,

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...Dennis
'69 RS Convertible w/SS trim (http://www.camaroslimited.com/memberscars/den.htm)
'96 Z28SS #1679 of 2410 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg)
"The Club" (http://camaroslimited.com)

Dennis,

It could be the rotor making the noise but I have heard of the fan blades causing this before. There where some bent/burred trailing edges on the fan blades and they caused a whistleing noise. What type of ALT are you running and what type of belt system?

Drop me an E-mail as to when you are leaving and if you need help while in RENO I'll give you my #. I am 1 hour from Reno and if needed I have a trailer! This OFFER goes for any one going to HOT AUGUST NIGHTS.

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TONY
67 CAMARO R/S CLONE, 355/turbo 350, 200hp NOS,12 bolt,etc...

[This message has been edited by idoxlr8 (edited 07-14-2001).]

Make sure your belt isn't glazed over. Also check your pulley on the alternator and clean it up with a little scotch brite. You can try one of the grooved or cogged belts, they run cooler too. Could be that the bearings are starting to go on the alternator. If that's the case it will probably get worse. Check the fan closely to make sure it is true and not distorted in any way. I remember a ride I had in a 427 66 Chevy 2 when the guy driving it missing third gear and revved the engine so high he thought he spun a rod. When we got it home we found the fan on the alternator had spread back from the high rpm and one blade was hitting on a bolt. Never over look what may seem to be a real obscure answer to a problem.
Dave

I had a similiar noise in one of my winter beaters..That I would best described as somwhat of a light whistle/whine...It was the rear bearing of my alt....Good luck

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76 LE Trans Am 455 4 speed.. # Matching..

68 Camaro R/S 327 4 speed

Thanks for the quick responses!! Tony- that is a generous offer, I'll shoot you an e-mail in the next few days!!

The belt is new (gatorback) and the whitsle comes and goes, mostly at idle and just off idle. when I first heard it I thought it was the hose to the brake booster but once I opened the hood and got out my pvc hearing aid it sounds to be as Badcaiman suggests, inside and to the back of the alt.

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...Dennis
'69 RS Convertible w/SS trim (http://www.camaroslimited.com/memberscars/den.htm)
'96 Z28SS #1679 of 2410 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg)
"The Club" (http://camaroslimited.com)

My 68 was making that same noise and was the bearings. The shop replaced and check everything else for less than $30. Happy motoring...

DjD,

The alternator is a snap to take apart and inspect. Scribe a line across the sections so that you can re-align them for assembly. You will need a small wire (paper clip works well) to hold the brushes in place by inserting the wire through a hole in the back housing.

The front bearing is a standard 6203 double seal. The rear is usually either an INA or Torrington. Both are very easy to replace. Beware of the Chinese junk. Bearings and new brushes shouldn't cost more than $20. I can send you a front bearing.

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The Red Beast http://www.geocities.com/casanoc

Thanks guys,

Carl- there is a shop just down the street from my work that rebuilds them. I will swing by there tomorrow, they should have the parts in stock!! Thanks for the offer, if I have trouble finding one I'll let you know.

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...Dennis
'69 RS Convertible w/SS trim (http://www.camaroslimited.com/memberscars/den.htm)
'96 Z28SS #1679 of 2410 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg)
"The Club" (http://camaroslimited.com)

Well I took it apart and the copper barrel that the brushes contact look as though it's been coming in contact with the bering race on the back half case. I guess a bad bering might have caused this, not sure... I'm sure by the rub marks that's where the whistle is coming from...

Should the main shaft and windings need to be pressed out or should it just pull out of the front bering and case? Also the rear bering has a freeze plug like cover in the rear case half, does that come out to make removing the bering easier?

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...Dennis
'69 RS Convertible w/SS trim (http://www.camaroslimited.com/memberscars/den.htm)
'96 Z28SS #1679 of 2410 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg)
"The Club" (http://camaroslimited.com)

The thing that looks like a freeze plug installed backwards is the back of the needle bearing cup. The whole thing presses into the housing. Use a deep socket just larger than the bearing to support the housing while pressing it out. It can be done easily with a bench vice.

If I remember (brain cramps on Sunday afternoon) you must remove the pulley and fan. On the backside of the front housing there is a plate that screws in that holds the bearing into the housing. Remove the plate, then the armature. The bearing can then be removed from the shaft. Usually the rotating ring is pressed on.

Most shafts with rolling element bearings have a fixed and float bearing to allow for thermal expansion. The front bearing is fixed since neither the rings or shaft can move. The rear needle bearing is the float side since needle rollers cannot take axial load and the shaft can float axially on the rolling elements.

Be sure to check that none of the old spacers used to set end play got munched in there. You may need to get a few from your local rebuilder or scrounge a few from a old one. There should be a little end play to allow for thermal expansion.

The front bearing may be a 6202. They are both popular front side alternator sizes.

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The Red Beast http://www.geocities.com/casanoc

[This message has been edited by CarlC (edited 07-15-2001).]

Thanks Carl!!

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...Dennis
'69 RS Convertible w/SS trim (http://www.camaroslimited.com/memberscars/den.htm)
'96 Z28SS #1679 of 2410 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg)
"The Club" (http://camaroslimited.com)

Ok, I wussed out after seeing what looked to be fried wires (heat build up at solder joints) and general poor condition. I think it was worth the extra to have it gone through as it turned out all the berings and diodes were Chinese so now it's full of good parts.

Anyone know what a 1100849 would be off of. I thought a 1100843 was the correct part number. Both are 61amp so it doesn't really matter. Thanks again!!

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...Dennis
'69 RS Convertible w/SS trim (http://www.camaroslimited.com/memberscars/den.htm)
'96 Z28SS #1679 of 2410 (http://www.camaroslimited.com/graphics/memcars/96ss.jpg)
"The Club" (http://camaroslimited.com)