'63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

[Norm B.]

The lower bolt on my '63 alternator is seized in the housing. The bracket will swivel on the bolt but the bolt will not budge in the alternator housing itself. I have tried soaking it over and over in just about every concoction I can think of including Kroil, PB Blaster, 50/50 ATF/Acetone, etc. etc. The only thing I have not tried is heat and I am reluctant to apply heat to an alternator. It also appears that at some time in its life the bolt was put in from the rear instead of the front so it may or may not be a correct bolt. I am thinking I may have to resort to drilling it out but that is going to be an awkward process. Any other suggestions? Any ideas? Has anyone else successfully solved this problem?


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[Edward D.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

I'd use a shop press. If you don't have one of those go ahead and heat the aluminum locally at the pivot to expand it, shouldn't damage the rest of the alternator.

[Stephen L.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

I'd place the bolt in a vice or press with a pipe/tube over one end of the bolt so that the vice pressure can be exerted on the bolt and alternator housing. (allowing the bolt to be pressed into the pipe). Now carefully, slowly, heat the housing in the area of the bolt with a propane torch. With the combination of the vice pressure and the heat expansion of the aluminum, the bolt may break loose and slide out. Don't overheat the aluminum.
Good luck......

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Norm, Maybe a little heat on the alternator boss with a high temp heat gun to start. But not too hot or for too long.

and/or...

Impact socket(air or electric) using a 6 point impact socket on the bolt head end. Short jabs in both directions.

or

Put some spacers where the bolt threads are showing and try to tighten the nut. You could make spacers from flat washers by cutting the sides with a hacksaw so they slip over the bolt. This would act like a puller on the bolt. It might be enough to move the bolt a bit to start to free it up then wrench on the bolt head to keep turning it.

Rich

[Peter M.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Norm,
Have you tied one of the freeze and release products? There are several different brands.
I have used the loctite version several times with good results.
Kind regards.

[Timothy B.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Hi Norm,

The bolt is upside down as per your pictures, it inserts from the front going through the bracket, alternator then thin flat washer up against alternator then spacer going through the bracket followed by another thin flat washer up against the spacer then nut. There should be a thin flat washer on each side of that spacer.

It's possible that spacer has embedded itself inside the alternator causing restricted outward movement of the bolt as there is no thin washer in place up against the alternator between the spacer and alternator.

I would remove the nut and give it a good smack with a hammer.

[Michael S.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Norm, i have just done this on my car. a 64 parked over 30 years. i use pb blast. i soaked it down every other day for about a month. -had a lot more to do so no problem waiting- mine was still in the car. i took a solid pipe with a hand held maul. i loosened up the nut to the end of the threads, took the pipe held it to the nut and gave it a few good wacks. then went the other direction. i did that for a long time adding bp blast. i then took a 6 point socket and breaker bar and turn the bolt back and forth. once it started to move i continued with a ratchet then put an air ratchet on it and spun it until i could pull it out. i lost the nut but shaved the bolt and alternator. also i have removed frozen oil pan bolts by doing this. get a torch, not a propane one they do not heat up enough and forget a heat gun never worked for me. here is what i do, take the torch heat the bolt head until it starts to turn red then stop, let it cool, then repeat 3 or 4 times letting it cool to wear you can almost hold it. the heat will travel up the bolt and heat up the aluminum housing of the alt. from the inside and also heat up the scale from the aluminum. after all this is whats holding the bolt and alt together. try to turn the bolt with a 6 point socket back and forth until it starts to turn then oil it with pb blast. after you get it to turn all the way around put an air ratchet to it and spin it until it is free. if your doing a oil pan or some thing that is not a nut bolt thing when you get the bolt to start moving go back and forth slowly. and a little farther each time. this takes time but i have saved a lot of bolts by doing this and avoided having to drill then tap out. i would never heat up aluminum with a torch. just my 2 cents. also when you reinstall put anti seize on it.
i have just started a frame off on my 64. it is up on jack stands. i wet it down with pb blast every other day. up to 4 case's so far. so far i only broke one bolt. it takes time dont rush it. good luck. let us know how you made out. here is a pic of my alt. as you can see the belt rotted into the pulley so you can imagine what i was dealing with on the bolt. master cyl and alt 017.jpgmaster cyl and alt 002.jpgmaster cyl and alt 002.jpgmike.

[Michael S.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

norm, note, i broke the adjuster bolt. just because i wanted to take a pic of the alternator numbers and did not follow my own advice.

[Bill M.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Heat up the alternator bolt is oxidized in. The bolt and the alternator have become one.

[Norm B.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Thanks everyone for giving me a few more options to try. Since the body is currently on a dolly, the frame is at the welder, and I am about halfway through a 14 day mandatory self isolation due to just returning to Canada I am cleaning up a lot of these little projects to keep busy. Time on this one is not of the essence but I will let you know the eventual outcome.

[Frank D.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Looks to me like you have enough space to use a SawzAll on it and be done with it...

[Richard G.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

The thermal expansion of Aluminum is almost twice that of steel. I believe a reasonable amount of heat, applied to the area around the bolt, will allow the aluminum to expand enough to loosen bolt.
If you are worried about the alternator internals maybe you can dissemble the alternator before applying any heat?
Just so you know, the nut in this application has a divot, in the wrench flats, that locks the nut in place.

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

The lower bolt on my '63 alternator is seized in the housing. The bracket will swivel on the bolt but the bolt will not budge in the alternator housing itself. I have tried soaking it over and over in just about every concoction I can think of including Kroil, PB Blaster, 50/50 ATF/Acetone, etc. etc. The only thing I have not tried is heat and I am reluctant to apply heat to an alternator. It also appears that at some time in its life the bolt was put in from the rear instead of the front so it may or may not be a correct bolt. I am thinking I may have to resort to drilling it out but that is going to be an awkward process. Any other suggestions? Any ideas? Has anyone else successfully solved this problem?


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Norm------


Your problem is likely caused by dissimilar metal (galvanic) corrosion. This would be most likely if the car has lived a good deal of its life in a humid environment.

[David H.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

Norm------


Your problem is likely caused by dissimilar metal (galvanic) corrosion. This would be most likely if the car has lived a good deal of its life in a humid environment.

Norm

First suggestion: You might try fire and ice. Dry ice on the bolt, and a bit of torch on the aluminum. Expansion/contraction differential might be enough to break things free.

Second suggestion: Remove alternator guts so you just have the case & bolt. Then try electrolysis with a "washing soda" water and battery charger. See video link below. Dissolves ferrous rust, however, I'm pretty sure it won't effect aluminum corrosion. i.e. will work on the bolt but not the case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ADeB6V1rQ

Dave

[Michael S.]

Re: '63 Bottom Alternator Bolt Seized

norm,
did you ever get the bolt out? what method did you use? just wondering. mike.