365 weeks...

[JB]

Another eventful day... Someone backed into the ML500, he is uninsured.

But got a little further along.. The alternator is stuffed and need a new one.

But on the positive side I got one shocker fitted today, after drilling the correct size hole and making a plate for the lower trailing arm to fit the coil over.

[FCRB26]

Are they AVO shocks  to match the front if so where did you get them from ..

Also i was hoping to get your tank sent but i had the wrong bloody soap at home so ill get little champ to polish it tommorow..

Fits nice just gotta tap the mounting holes i left the nipple in the filler neck on the coolant tank use that as your overflow instead of dribbling it into the engine bay.

[JB]

That looks the goods Pete!!!! Did the washer pump fit ok?

The shocks are QA1 with 18 pre load settings. I bought them from McDonald Bros in Thomastown, Vic. With 250lb/inch springs, however he said if they needed changing they will exchange for free (springs that is) $770 for the pair.

Thanks for the awesome job!

Cheers
JB

[GOA350]

This build is boring me to tears, don't you have something better to do with your time. Just finish the thing and stop wasting our time with your inane updates, and rubbing our noses in our own inabilities and lack of enthusiasm to complete our own projects, not to mention lack of funds.











Cheers Scotty  

[FCRB26]

Cheers i will give them a call ..

Have been trying to get the same as the front but they are hard to find.


Pete

[JB]

Got the second shock done today, the alternator was dead, got it tested to prove it was stuffed so got a new one. Hooked the new one\ up and the battery is still not charging... looking at the wiring diagram the wires are hooked up correctly.

Any suggestions where to look from here??? Someone suggested that the new one needs exciting, not really sure what that means.

If not, time for an auto elec

Thanks
JB

[FC427]

Some Alternators need to be excited  before they will charge [ not sure if this is the case in your instance] They are hooked up  with a positive wire from the ignition circuit to a terminal on the alternator  not the power out terminal ......FC427......

[FCV08]

JB

Doesn't that sound great.

Thanks for the updates. Keeps me going as well. I am at the paint stage so looking to put it all back togtehr befroe Christmas.

The long road seems to be winding to an end for you.

Keep the updates coming.

Cheers

Craig D

[Ed]

JB,

this may help with the exciter.
http://fefcholden.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,11884.0.html
http://www.ozrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16980&hilit=alternator+exciter
Cheers

Ed

[NickZ]

if your alternator is a standard commodore one, youll find a 2 pin plug on it, one wire will go to the battery terminal and is for reading the battery voltage, it should be connected to the BATTERY, if you put it on the terminal on the alternator from the Battery it wont pick up the voltage drop in the cables and battery voltage will be down under the 13.8-14.2 range.

the other terminal is for ignition to turn on the alternator, it usually runs through a light globe, positive fron the ignition goes to one side of the bulb and the other side of the bulb goes to the alternator, when the alternator isnt spinning the terminal goes to ground so the light turns on showing that the alternator isnt charging, once you start the car and the alternator is in working condition that terminal goes to a positive output so there is positive on both sides of the bulb so it goes out. when you turn on the ignition the bulb lights putting a positive on the pin and that excites the alt to start charging when it spins.

Both of these wires must be connected for the alternator to work, if you dont want to run the globe you can just use a ignition on positive. if you also want to test it on the car its ok to connect positives to the pins and you wont harm anything, youll also here the alternator whistle faintly when the motor isnt running and you have powered up the alternator correctly.

[JB]

Thanks for the replies guys, and Nick for the details specific to the commodore, I have the 2 pins on the alternator, and when the ignition is on I can get the battery voltage registering on one side but nothing registers on the other side... Will have to chase down that wire to see if its also on the battery. Let you know how I go.

Thanks
JB

[NickZ]

if your using commodore wiring i think it should be the same for most models, the white wire on the plug is to the battery and the brown should be light/ignition on.

[JB]

Yep, found the problem... White was to earth, not to battery. Will sort it tomorrow and let you know how I go.
Cheers
JB

[JB]

Bingo!! Thanks boys... Have 14.20v at the battery now.

Now to tidy up some stuff before pulling it all down for a sandblast.

JB

[Ed]

you must be happy now JB!, thanks Nick for de-mystifying the exciter circuit! it all makes sense now.

[JB]

Very happy Ed, but can't rest... All apart now 4 months to put in the wiring harness and 30 minutes to take out! Most of the engine apart already but work has got in the way again, hopefully sandblasted in a couple of weeks, then to the fabricator for metal work.

Cheers
JB

[freddyc]

Jason join in the strikes and you will have lots of time

[JB]

Not with the RAT... I have a star on the tail, we are not in negotiations at the moment... Give it 18 months though we will see LOL

[FCRB26]

Tanks will leave today.

Just trim tabs back to suit also pilot hole drilled thru doubler block on the side of tank so you can drill and tap your preffered thread.

[JB]

How good is this!! Thanks Pete-(fchoon)

Love the work and it fits perfectly! Will hide the cables and fill a little gap.

Cheers
JB