Subject: Re: F***ing generator-mount bolts
Author: Bruce Giller
Date: Jul 19, 2002, 11:57 AM
Post ID: 1710634807
Greg,
I presume that you talking about the two bolts that hold the generator
cradle to the top of the engine. From your description of only being
able to screw it in a bit and out a bit, leads me to believe that some
of the aluminum body threads have adhered to the steel bolt. This means
that the tapped hole is buggered already.
Since you snapped off the second bolt, you can now remove the cradle
from the engine. Is there any of the bolt protruding above the surface.
If so, you can weld a nut (the ID of the nut is slightly larger than
the bolt so that it just slips on) to the protruding bolt section. Then
heat up the engine area around the bolt with a Blue Torch (propane) 'til
it is pretty warm. Then use a hand impact driver to remove the bolt.
Sometimes you have to re-weld the nut on several times before success occurs.
And if you get to the point where you can't weld anymore, it is time to
drill out the bolt. After the removal of the bolt, you are going to
have to retap the hole.
I replaced these two bolts with studs so that I wouldn't be removing
steel bolts from aluminum any longer (used some blue Locktite to make
sure the studs stayed in place). And your idea for an extra hold-down
bracket welded to the generator cradle and attaching it to the
distributor body, is recommended by Dr. Dave R. in Guzziology.
Bruce
Greg Field wrote:
I finally got around to working on my "new" 4LS Eldo, and the damn generator was so loose I could wiggle it by hand 1/2 inch side to side. I pulled the generator, took out the front bolt no problem, but had trouble with the rear. I could screw it in a few turns and back it out to its original position but no further. So I did what any impatient lunkhead would do and tried to force it out. Snap! Anyone want to share success stories on how you got one of these bastards out? Or should I just weld a strap on the back of the mount and bolt that to the distributor bolt? Will that mount, along with the good front bolt hold it well enough? |