You should have reg by now Leadfoot...
Hi Gyro,
Yes, it arrived.
I CAN'T GET THE SCREWS UNDONE.....despite much effort, and using a number of different P/H screwdrivers and/or 1/4" drive ratchet & bits.
I tried over a number of days.
Access is difficult.
My brother suggested that the screws are "glued".....but I said "surely not".
All I seem to be doing is progressively "rounding" or damaging the P/H screw.
I tried the connections to the alternator.....both "clean as", and there just doesn't seem to be enough oil anywhere from the rocker gasket leak(will fix this week) to cause a problem to the alternator.
Brand new drive belts were fitted 20,000km ago when the 380 engine conversion was done.
They seem well adjusted, with no strange noises.
The alternator ITSELF was brand new genuine at the time of the 380 conversion.
But the warning light still glows after starting.
So I ordered a new genuine Bosch alternator:
Mitsubishi Magna & Verada V6 (6G72 & 6G74). Mitsubishi Verada KE, 1996-1997. Mitsubishi Magna TJ, 2000-2002. Mitsubishi Magna TF, 1996-1999. Mitsubishi Magna TW, 2004-2005. Mitsubishi Magna TE, 1996-1997.
www.ebay.com.au
It has "Bosch" cast into the casing, but the regulator has no identifiers on it.
The new box with clear Bosch print says "Taiwan".....at least that is better than saying ".....China"
The alternator currently in the car was a "Bosch" casting, and the regulator had a "Bosch" "made in Taiwan" mark on it - see post #80.
I can't get the regulator screws undone on this one either, even though it is out of the car.
SIGH!
Due to my health problems(getting underneath the car), I am going to leave it to the local small town mechanic to swap the complete alternator......quote "1 hour labour", which is quite reasonable.
The problem is when I made the booking late last week he is booked out solid until Friday 14 April.....SIGH!
I just can't understand why the regulator screws on both the current and recently delivered alternators absolutely refuse to be undone with regular hand tools.
I could use Vise Grips on the alternator out of the car to "crack" the screws loose, but the one in the car does not allow enough clearance with dipstick, exhaust manifolds, radiator fans etc. in the way.
The last time I changed a regulator was on my old Nissan R31 Skyline about 10 years ago.
Absolutely no problems.
In the meantime, I have been boosting the battery every few days to get to the shops which are 5km away, or relying on home delivery of groceries/medication.
I don't dare drive any further than this/use headlights otherwise I risk the battery going flat and being stranded even though I have just purchased a small booster pack just in case.
Everywhere else I need to drive is at least 15km away.....too far for a return trip uncharged.
I can't go and see my mother in Sydney on her 98th birthday which is on 11 April.....until the alternator is fixed.