I just got my van back from my mechanic.  I had broken the alternator
bracket about three months ago.  I welded it back together and reinstalled
it.  One Month later the bolts that attach the bracket to the engine case
broke off.  then  I had to tap out the bolts and I was stupid enough to
reinstall the welded bracket with slightly larger bolts.  last week the
bolts snapped again taking little chuck of the case with them.  I finally
concluded that the  welded bracket wasn't completely flush with the engine
case and the tension of the alternator was more than the bolts would stand.
I bought  a new bracket at dealer ($24) and my mechanic was able to do a
weld repair to the case. and re-attach.  I pray the case will hold okay.
from my point of view I should have spent that 24 bucks long ago.

Good Luck
Leif Paulsen
'86 Syncro "4BY-THOR"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Joel D Shortlidge
> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 1999 11:40 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Alternator Bracket
>
>
>         I need the bracket that goes right under the alternator
> on my '87 Syncro
> Westy Weekender!  This is my only transportation and the dealer wants $21
> for it and can only get it next week.  It cracked right at one of the
> bolt holes. Also is there anyway to keep this from happening again?  It
> seems pretty flimsy it shacked pretty bad during idle even before it
> broke.
>
> Joel
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