This car is a 1993 Mustang GT, 5 speed, with 189000 miles.
Could it be that my belt tensioner is too tight? Can that thing be adjusted? I've had 1 alternator's pulley disintegrate and a couple of others sieze. Good thing the first one came with a lifetime warranty. Back to Pep-boys.
Andy
Pretty unusual if it's not eating belts, as well.
PROBABLY rebuilder checking front bearing and saying 'good enough'.
And run of bad luck on your part.
check the diameter of the pulley on the alternator ford used 7 different sizes depending on a host of factors. your replacement if it came with a puller may have been the wrong size (forcing your alternator to spin faster or slower as well as changing belt tension) also count the groves in the pulley in one of those years they changed from 5 groove to 6 or 7 deepening on output
It could be a belt alignment problem. If the pulleys aren't aligned perpendicular to the plane of the pulleys then it will chew up belts and seize up bearings.
The Official Ford Mustang 5.0 (Al Kirschenbaum, Softcover) ISBN:
0837602106 suggests using the 1994-95 OE Mustang alternator as a replacement upgrade. The book says the alternator has "improved durability." I haven't tried this and would like to hear if this is an improvement. My 92 5.0 is on its fourth alternator.
it's been doing both.
You know I counted 6 grooves on the pulley for the alternator and on the power steering pump. But you know what? It's not going to be my problem anymore, because the parts counter guy at Pep Boys desperately wants to buy the car, and is willing to wait until my 2007 GT arrives in 4-5 weeks. He says he's been looking for a one-owner 1988 - 1993 GT for more than a year.
Thanks everyone.
I don't know anything about that particular alternator. Four alternators o that car seems extreme. I am on my second at 150k miles.
My 1995 Grand Marquis, 160,000 miles, is on its original alternator. I think I'd try the 1995 alternator if it fits and the pulley matches up...
Go to NAPA now, replace the brushes and clean it.
about $10 and an hour and no guessing as to if you got a good rebuild
Improved over what? My 88GT is still using its original (albeit rebuilt) alternator. The rebuild wasn't done until around 200,000 miles after finally blowing a diode when it wore out its second set of brushes.
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