Hi guys,
I occasionally spend a few minutes when available trying to
get my alternator problem figured out. Brought my alternator
to Autozone last month and it tested bad, so I turned it in
and got a new one. Thought I compared the old and new one
together, but apparently did not do a good enough job
checking it. Replacing an alternator should be an easy job,
right? New one doesn't fit. I'm having a helluva time and my
car can't be moved as a result. I wish I could get my old
alternator back, just long enough to move the car into the
garage.
My questions:
1. Do I have an alternator or a generator? My dash light
says "GEN" and my '73 GMC Sprint manual calls it a "Delcotron
Generator Assembly." The Autozone computer calls it an
"alternator."
2. Shouldn't there be a difference between alternators on
pre-'75 and post-'75 models? I bought shiny new chrome
alternator brackets thinking that the old brackets looked
like something thrown together by some shadetree mechanic.
The new brackets are good for models up through 1975. The
Autozone computer shows the same alternator for a '73 307,
'73 350, and a '77 350. Maybe they tried to make one
alternator interchangeable with too many others.
3. Where can I find some sort of identifying code on my
engine? Given that the previous owner used this Sprint as a
parts car for other cars, I'm not even sure I have the
original 350 anymore.
4. Am I an idiot for even taking this project on?
Thanks all for your help. Nothing urgent here, but I sure
would like to at least be able to move my Sprint without
selling it as a parts car.
Saul
'73 GMC Sprint
