Woo-hoo! My first mechanical problem!
(Needless to say, any mechanical problem is not something I look forward to paying for...)
I had my hood raised today to deal with some ants that are trying to take up residence there, when my neighbor noticed that there was a V-belt tightly wrapped around the fan shaft. After examining things, I determined that it was one of the tandem belts running the alternator and air compressor from the main shaft. It is the forward, or outer belt that came off. I examined the alternator, and there appears to be some play, between 1/16" and 1/8" in the alternator shaft assembly. My assumption is that the front bearing (at least) in the alternator is shot.
I rarely drive the bus, but I have been cranking it every 5 days and letting it run for 45 minutes to an hour to charge the batteries. I think the belt must have broken Saturday when I cranked it last, as the pulley grooves where it ran are not rusted or dirty.
I could not readily discern any model number or other identifying information on the alternator, but I did not examine it extremely closely.
The engine is a 1985 IH 9.0 Liter.
The alternator is ...pretty big. It has worked fine so far, at least according to the voltmeter and ammeter on the dash.
Here are my questions:
Is there a standard alternator used on these engines (assuming the school district didn't install something else along the way)?
Where am I likely to find identifying information on the alternator, or how can I identify it otherwise?
...and the biggie...
Can I replace the bearings in this alternator (assuming I can identify it), or is this a situation where buying a new/rebuilt alternator is likely to be just as cheap/expensive?
I really hate to have to do R&R work right now, but I am NOT going to own a disabled vehicle -- since I'm living in this thing, so it has to be functional.
I appreciate any assistance.
Linear Mode
