The alternator is an essential component in the electrical system of a Corvette, since it supplies the necessary DC voltage and keeps the battery charged. Like all things mechanical, eventually it wears out and fails. The project car shown here was a 1967 Corvette 427 coupe which had an incorrect chrome-plated alternator in it. The procedures detailed here are the same for small or big block Corvette engines from 1963 through 1982. Zip Corvette Parts, 8067 Fast Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, 1-800-962-9632, was able to supply us with a new alternator for our mid-year Corvette. Follow along and see how easy it really is to do this Corvette alternator replacement yourself.
01: Using a fender apron whenever you have to do any work under the hood of your Corvette is always a good idea since it protects the fender from belt-buckle scratches and doubles as a mat for resting your tools on, too.
02: The first thing to do is disconnect the positive lead from the battery. You can get a nasty shock when removing your Corvette’s alternator if you don’t take this precaution first.
03: Use a nut driver or socket to remove the 5/16” nut that secures the black ground wire to the alternator, and pull the wire free of its stud.
04: The harness plug is removed next by depressing its clip and pulling it out. The rubber boot on the red positive lead can then be pulled back and the 7/16” retaining nut taken off so the lead can be removed from your Corvette’s alternator. This completes the electrical disconnections.
05: A ½” bolt secures the top of the alternator to the upper mounting or adjusting bracket, and this bolt is the next item to be removed. The bracket can then be swung up and out of the way at this point.
06: Push the alternator toward the engine to gain some slack in the belt, then slip the belt over and off the pulley
07: Pull the alternator toward the inner fender as far as it will go so you can gain easier access to the lower mounting pivot bolt. Use a 9/16” socket with an extension to remove the nut and lock washer from the bolt.
08: Once the nut is removed, the bolt can be removed from the lower mounting bracket. You may have to give it a gentle tap, but it should pull free without too much trouble. With this done, remove the old alternator from the vehicle.
09: Zip Corvette Parts supplied a rebuilt alternator for our C2 Corvette. Installing the new alternator is a reversal of the steps used to your Corvette’s original alternator. Start by positioning the alternator in the lower mounting bracket, then insert the bolt and snug-up the nut with lock washer. Slip the belt over the pulley and insert the ½” bolt through the upper mounting bracket and thread it into the alternator. Use a prybar to put tension on the belt by pulling the alternator toward you while you tighten the upper mounting bolt. Tighten the nut on the lower mounting bolt, reconnect the positive lead, the harness plug and the ground lead, then reconnect the positive battery lead and start the car up.
10: Connect the positive and common leads of a multimeter to the corresponding terminals on the alternator, select the 20-volt range and see what kind of voltage the new alternator is putting out; it should be between 12.5 and 14-volts if its working correctly. When it checks out OK, shut the engine off, disconnect the multimeter and slip the rubber boot over the positive terminal on the alternator. Job completed!
Mid-Year Charging System: How To Replace Your 1963-1982 Corvette Alternator
Source: Zip Corvette Parts
8067 Fast Lane | Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | (800) 962-9632
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Good articles, even for the experienced installer. One can never have too much information! One of the most common mistakes made during electrical repairs is failure to disconnect the battery. It’s such a simple process, but if neglected can cause major damage.