16 replies to this topic

[Shylos]

I needed to replace my radiator, and while I am there figured I should also switch out the water pump, thermostat and alternator because... why not?

 

I pulled the old alternator out, including the brackets, and thought it all looked pretty straightforward to replace. But when I put the new one in, there is a pretty big gap between the alternator and the adjuster bracket:

 

 

I figured I could pad it out with washers but that seems kind of a hack. Does this look normal? If not, any ideas why it is so... wrong? I only have one washer worth of padding at the top to line it up with the other pulley and there is no way I can move the adjuster bracket to the right without more washers.

 

Thanks for any help, this is my first semi-major work on the car so I am pretty nervous about screwing something up.

[Ethel]

As long as all the belt pulleys are in the same  vertical plane.

 

One of these at the other end might help, or you could rig something similar with a threaded bush or nuts & washers so there's a nut to slacken the bracket that doesn't slacken the engine end.

[Shylos]

Ah a threaded bush or nuts makes sense. Thanks for the reassurance, I can definitely rig something up if this isn't the sign of something gone very wrong!

[Spider]

I find a Flat Washer - Nut - Flat Washer lines them up better than the factory spacer.

[Davidmt]

Just did this yesterday to give a bit more space to the remote oil head as I fitted a sensor.  You could just pack it out but also check the top mounts as there is often a spacer already inserted into the fixing hole which looks fixed but can be moved with a bit of persuasion.  I would therefore first check that there isn't a spacer pushed through on the left of the top mount which needs pushing through to the right - this would move the alternator to the left a bit?

 

What ever you do it's the alignment of the belt that's the most important.

 

Added an old photo - the spacer is circled in yellow.  Mine came with this on the left so tapped it through to the right.  You may have the same issue.

 

 20231116_151407.jpg   59.84K   15 downloads

Edited by Davidmt, 17 April 2024 - 06:38 AM.

[nicklouse]

Don’t forget the alternator has a sliding bush that will move as you tighten the bolts up.

[Lplus]

Ah a threaded bush or nuts makes sense. Thanks for the reassurance, I can definitely rig something up if this isn't the sign of something gone very wrong!

The spacer that Ethel pointed out is missing.  It has been present on every mini I've owned.  It would be worth getting one, even if you have to bodge it for now.

[DeadSquare]

@ Davidmt.

 

Where did you get that windscreen washer bottle ?

 

I am looking for one like that for my Unipower GT.

[Ethel]

Came with the car I'd guess, they were all like that with the manual pump.

 

https://www.minispar...sic/GWW906.aspx

[GraemeC]

The alternator should bolt to the outside of the fixing on the water pump, no washers between the two.

At the other top mount the bush in the alternator will move as required to seat against the rear bracket.

At the bottom. the inner end of the adjuster bracket should sit on a pedestal (https://www.minispar...|Back to search) and the 'slot' end of the bracket goes on the pedestal

At the alternator end the bracket should now sit to the outside of the alternator and line up pretty well.

[Shylos]

Thanks for all the help, this has made things much clearer, especially the explanation of the bush on the top left. I had moved that manually before installing but it makes sense it would shift as needed as the alternator is tightened in place, so I will move that back and let it move itself.  

 

Otherwise, the alternator is already as far left as possible (without mounting on the wrong side and not lining up the pulleys) so definitely feels like it just needs that spacer. Shipping on one of those to the US may be excessive, but I'll make my own with spacers/nuts for now and add it to my next order to swap in future. 

[Lplus]

Thanks for all the help, this has made things much clearer, especially the explanation of the bush on the top left. I had moved that manually before installing but it makes sense it would shift as needed as the alternator is tightened in place, so I will move that back and let it move itself.  

 

Otherwise, the alternator is already as far left as possible (without mounting on the wrong side and not lining up the pulleys) so definitely feels like it just needs that spacer. Shipping on one of those to the US may be excessive, but I'll make my own with spacers/nuts for now and add it to my next order to swap in future. 

Keep an eye on it as you tighten it up, I've snapped the lug on an alternator because it was such a tight fit and didn't move as required.

[Shylos]

Oof good to know, thanks

[Davidmt]

@ Davidmt.

 

Where did you get that windscreen washer bottle ?

 

I am looking for one like that for my Unipower GT.

 

That one is sat on my garage shelf if you want it - not sure where the top is but I may be able to find it.

[DeadSquare]

 

@ Davidmt.

 

Where did you get that windscreen washer bottle ?

 

I am looking for one like that for my Unipower GT.

 

That one is sat on my garage shelf if you want it - not sure where the top is but I may be able to find it.

 

Thank you, that is very kind.

If it slides down onto a wedged bracket, I would like it, please, if you are never going to need it.