Stranded! | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Stranded!

Discussion in '348/355' started by BT, May 10, 2008.

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  1. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
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    Bill Tracy
    Yeah, the belt tension was okay, but I tightened it a little anyway. Still getting the battery light so I will pull the alternator tomorrow and see what the model number is to get parts to rebuild it. It should be the Delco unit (it looks like it), but I will make sure tomorrow.
    I am glad that I replaced the bullet connectors anyway, they look like they had some white powder that cannot be good for conducting electricity.
    BT
     
  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 19, 2001
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    Good.

    Here is the "how-to" on rebuilding your Delco alternator, or buying a new one http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=135611780&postcount=10

    You can still use the other thread I post to help you with the removal. The bracket for your Delco is a bit different from the Nippondenso bracket. Still just as easy to get it out though.
     
  3. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    Wow, thanks Ernie! That info is perfect. The Delco alternator saga is not too difficult apparently.
    BT
     
  4. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Not to difficult at all. Let us know how it turns out.
     
  5. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Ya know what, now that I think about it, you had better get some new brushes for your alternator while your at it. Your car is a few months shy of being 20 years old, and if the brushes have never been changed it wouldn't surprise me if they are worn pretty good.
     
  6. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    I took the alternator to a good repair shop that also does some marine work. They are good about understanding harsh environments. They should call me today to tell me the story. Even after I told them it was from a Ferrari they didn't seem to alter their attitudes at all. They said one alternator that would work under very harsh loading / heat was a good option, but was really expensive at around $300...
    :)
    BT
     
  7. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    The alternator shop called and told me the alternator rebuild is done (2 hours!). They put in a new stator, windings, regulator, bearings, rectifier, etc... I'll be back in a few to tell the cost...
    :)
    BT
     
  8. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    Mar 21, 2005
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    $85 for a rebuild including parts. I'll install it tonight (with a new battery) and see if all is well. If you look at the side of the Delco alternator you can see some small wire clip type connectors. The rebuild shop said they are a shortcut that often causes some resistance and heat buildup which can kill the internal parts. They reqired those sections to be soldered directly to the regulator or rectifier I can't remember which.
    I would have taken pictures to document this whole saga, but no camera at the moment.
    :(
    BT
     
  9. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    OUTSTANDING!!!
     
  10. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
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    $85 is cheap!! :):)
     
  11. ToddB

    ToddB Formula 3

    Nov 4, 2003
    2,241
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    Todd
    Had a battery light go on, then the car died 30mins later (this was 2 years ago) and it was just a dead battery
     
  12. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #37 BT, May 19, 2008
    Last edited: May 19, 2008
    So I got the alternator back in, tightened up the belt, put in a new battery from Sam's Club ($60), and buttoned everything up. I nervously turned the key to position 2....
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    waited a few seconds....
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Turned the key to start the engine....
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    And voila, the battery light goes out instantly after the motor starts up.
    Ah, I love my Ferrari.
    :)
    So until further notice all is well, we will see if some higher RPM driving makes the rebuild fail. I did let the ECU reset itself by idling for about 20 minutes.
    For now I'm happy.
    My repair costs are:
    New battery cables - about $25
    Alternator rebuild - $85
    New battery - $60
    So a total of $170, but I also get to avoid some future headaches from a dead battery or a crappy bullet connector.
    Next weekend Mike Fankhanel and I are doing some maintenance on both 348s (gear oil, engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc...).
    :)
    BT
     
  13. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Good to hear BT!! :):)
     
  14. potxoli

    potxoli Formula 3

    Mar 22, 2007
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    +1. There is a certain level of flakyness to these cars, but almost everything is easily addressed if you DIY and do your research...
     
  15. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Actually it's NORMAL! Ferrari has conditioned people to their crazyass high prices that it SEEMS cheap. But in reality that is what it should normally cost.
     
  16. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nice work Bill.

    Chalk that up as yet another successful do-it-yourself job, Brotherhood style!
     
  17. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
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    I actually meant cheap all in all. :p:p

    We pay around US $50 just for regualators here.
    I replaced one in my Mum's car a few weeks ago.

    We now as a nation........find it easier to replace, rather than repair. I would be scared to price all the parts (new stator, windings, regulator, bearings, rectifier, etc.) that Bill replaced. :D:D
     
  18. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    I had priced out the rectifier and regulator from the thread that Ernie referenced (buying the parts through www.Rockauto.com). Those two parts were about $82 total plus shipping. With all the extra parts and having someone who knows about alternators do the work for the same price I think I am way ahead of the game having a shop do the rebuild.
    Thanks for the help bro's!
    :)
    BT
     

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