alternator concerns

[66Alpine]

hey beamheads,

When i was attempting to synk my carbs while the engine was running i noticed a blue flame emanating from what i think is the ground terminal.from the alternator..it would grow brighter as i opened the throttle.. also it seemed to be, the connector was not snug against the alt. but floating along the bolt that ran into the alternator..

what's the deal???? would this be , perhaps why my ammeter is generally in the neg. charge mode..?

any help out there would be appreciated....

Thanx , Johnny

 

[Nickodell]

I'm not sure which alternator you're using, but my AC Delco grounds through the body of the alt. as it is bolted to the engine. There's only two leads coming out, both "hot" (positive): one the sensor that goes to the ign. switch, the other the main current supply. If you have blue flames (sounds spectacular!) are you sure they are not coming from your main output (hot) lead? Whichever, you need to remove the wire, clean both terminal and wire connector, and re-install, making sure it's tight. I use both a star washer and an anti-vibration (diaphragm) nut to make sure the current flows OK and it doesn't loosen.

Remove the battery ground lead before working on this! The primary lead can carry enough current to cause damage/injury if it touches any part of the body or engine.

Wasn't there a Land Speed Record contender called Blue Flame?

 

[Jeff Scoville]

Also, make sure you have a good ground strap between the chassis and the motor/trans.

 

[ozzie alpine]

Where was the ground/earth strap to the motor/trans originally fitted on the Alpine?

 

[Wombat]

Dave

Originally across one of the gearbox mounts on the rear cross member. One end under one of the one of the bolts holding the mount to the gearbox and the other end under one of the bolts holding the rear crossmember to the body.