gear lash on alternator/generator?

[rampeyboy]

I am thinking of removing the alternator generator on my 8V71 because 1) it's not charging and 2) I want to change to negative ground.

In case my conversion doesn't work as planned, and I end up reinstalling this thing, how do I set the gear lash on this gear driven monster? Will I have to make any adjustments since I would be reinstalling the one that came off it?

Seems like a dumb question, but I like to consider all the pitfalls before doing anything!

Boyce

[Lonnie time to go]

bump

[Geoff]

There is a special tool to figure out the gear lash when installing a gear driven alternator.  What you can do, without the special tool, is to mark exactly where the alt. was mounted by using a felt pen.  Hopefully, the old gasket will stay in place and you just have to align it with the old divits using Brake Clean and silicone to put it back on.  Personally, I would chuck a gear-driven alternator for a fan belt driven one>  (That's what I did with my 50DN).

[rampeyboy]

     Thanks Geoff, my plan is to replace it with a belt driven. First though, I'm researching the possible problems I may run into such as diodes facing the wrong direction when I convert positive ground to negative ground.
      I am mostly concerned about a possible diode in the engine shut off circuit. If it exists, then I may not be able to shut off the engine normally once I convert the grounding method. I read somewhere another person had difficulties with this!

Boyce