Pulled my alternator yesterday and there were 5 shims on the outside and 2 on the inside for a total of 7 shims. According to 101 Projects and a couple of tech articles I have read, it appears there should be only 6 shims. Is this correct? Do I have one too many for some reason (probably when work was done on the voltage reg by PO). Should I only use 6 or does it really matter as long as the extra shim is on the outside? Opinions would be greatly apprecicated. I'm going to pick up my rebuilt alternator tonight and want reinstall, however I want to make sure it is correct.

Thanks in advance!

 

i dont think it really matters how many you have, as long as you have enough to make the belt fit right. but what ever you do, keep all the shims that you have, as you never know how many you may ever need.

on a 912, there is supposed to be 8 for the generator, but i only have 7. i only need 4 usually, but i always keep the other shims on the outside, between the pully and the nut.

 

Thanks Harry!

 

Actually, it's very important that you only have 6. It's a common misconception that the only relevant number are the ones on the inside, but you need the ones on the outside so that the nut tightens down enough but doesn't bottom out.

 

Thanks Steve!

 

I installed the alternator last night and used only six shims. Decided to go with 101 Projects, Wil Fench's article and Steve Wilwerding's advice. That was a very interesting project and more interesting way the alternator belt goes on (especially a new one). I didn't think it would fit. I ended up putting all six inside to start with. Ran the engine for a couple of minutes to stretch out the belt. Pulled off the pully put five inside and one out. Ran the engine again. Repeated the process one more time ending up with three shims on the inside and three on the outside. The belt seems a bit tight, but after a couple of runs, I believe it will stretch out a bit more.

The project was fairly easy and took only a couple of hours. I'm glad I did it as I now know how to replace the belt. I would suggest that everyone do this once, just in case your belt should break when you're on the road somewhere and you have to replace it yourself. I would have been very frustrated and confused if I had to do this late at night in the middle of nowhere having not done it before as it is a very different process than on any other car I have owned.

Thanks to everyone who provided input!

 

I would add that you should use the tools in your in-car tool kit to be sure you have everything you need when you on the road.

When I bought by car, it came with a 22 mm wrench but the nut on my alternator is 24 mm. I am glad I checked while it was no big deal to go to Wal-Mart and pick one up for $6.00.