Ideas for cleaning my alternator......?

[1967C20]

I'm detailing my engine and I was wondering.....How do I clean my alternator without trashing it? Any ideas?

[Bob 68327]

Fine wire wheel on a bench grinder will clean it up nice.

[1967C20]

Thanks, Bob. I already did some wire wheel work and that did help some but it's still kind of greasy. How can I remove the grease without trashing the insides?

[bdydrp97s10]

try laquer thinner on a rag... thats always what i use to degrease my small parts..

[Dingfodgy]

I've actually removed the 3 screws that hold the cases together, pulled out the armature and removed the regulator, rectifier, and outside winding....basically gutted the whole thing. It's really not that complicated in there- take pictures so you know how things are oriented @ reassembly. Once tore apart- degrease as normal, hit it with a wire wheel on a bench grinder and then spray "detail gray" from Eastwood.

[cdowns]

i would not use laquer thinner as it might screw up the armature/ however kerosene or diesel wont and with a stiff brush will clean it up nice

[mr48chev]

If you are going to take it down to the bare cases I'd use Grease Eater to clean therio cases and then replace the rear bearing and reassemble the alternator.

I've thought about using either McGuire's or Griot Garage aluminum wheel cleaner on a set of spare cases to see what they look like too.

I wouldn't use a wire wheel on the cases as it will mar the finish.

I've got a stack of old alternators here that are headed for the rebuilder as cores or to the scrap yard in a few days so I might play a bit at cleaning up a couple of cases to see what happens.

[Psycho71]

Go to your local hobby shop and get some "Pure". It's a motor cleaner for RC car motors. It will not hurt the epoxy on the windings, or any other electrical components. We use it on our slot car motors to clean the excess oil & brush dust out of them. It works great. And these little motors see in excess of 75,000rpm regularly. Some up to 100,000rpm.

Whatever you use, just be sure to oil the bearings before you start using the alt. again. Or it might chew one up fairly quickly.


Jay

[72BLUZ]

there should be a small hole at the back of the alternator. use a paper clip to secure the brushes. take it apart and clean it with an acid formula. it is easy to dissasemble and reassemble

[1967C20]

Thanks for all of the ideas, guys. I've got some chicken going in the smoker this afternoon so the alternator should make a good project while I'm cooking. I'll let you know how it turns out (the alternator that is; I KNOW how the chicken is going to turn out )

[kcfirstbuild]

how did the alt turn out ? I want to do the same thing ? Crc makes a electric motor cleaner could i use that ?