Alternator Question

This may seem like a stupid question. But can anybody tell me why ford or
any other auto makers would mount the Alternators at the bottom of the
engines so it can take a bath in what ever the tire slings at it. Now I will
say I never had any problems with this setup yet. But It just sounds like a
stupid place to mount electrical components. I would think you would want
to keep them as dry as possible. And the best way to do that would be to
mount it up high like most rear wheel drives are mounted. What would happen
if I drove through high water and submerged it? Would it be ok after it
dried off or would I be replacing it?

In Fords case, they have to make them so your have to Fix Or Repair
Daily and just to be sure they are Found On Road Dead, they put the
alternators down low where it 'will' short out in a water crossing....

You are right, it is a very dumb place for an alternator.

I have washed out alternators on several occasions to clean out mud
splats and they worked fine after they dried out. I have never tried it
when the engine was running though....

I'll bet you would get one wicked spark show if you drove it on an ocean
beach at night though. Custom ground effects. ;-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


Nobody wrote:
>
> This may seem like a stupid question. But can anybody tell me why ford or
> any other auto makers would mount the Alternators at the bottom of the
> engines so it can take a bath in what ever the tire slings at it. Now I will
> say I never had any problems with this setup yet. But It just sounds like a
> stupid place to mount electrical components. I would think you would want
> to keep them as dry as possible. And the best way to do that would be to
> mount it up high like most rear wheel drives are mounted. What would happen
> if I drove through high water and submerged it? Would it be ok after it
> dried off or would I be replacing it?

Nobody wrote:
> This may seem like a stupid question. But can anybody tell me why ford or
> any other auto makers would mount the Alternators at the bottom of the
> engines so it can take a bath in what ever the tire slings at it. Now I will
> say I never had any problems with this setup yet. But It just sounds like a
> stupid place to mount electrical components. I would think you would want
> to keep them as dry as possible. And the best way to do that would be to
> mount it up high like most rear wheel drives are mounted. What would happen
> if I drove through high water and submerged it? Would it be ok after it
> dried off or would I be replacing it?
>
>
>
It's an excellent place for an alternator. It tends to get cooler air, which
helps longevity. It lowers the CG ever so slightly. It allows for a better wrap of
the other pulleys. It's out of the way for other repair/maint jobs.
Every postion you place it in is going to be a comprimise. There's always going
to be some good and some bad aspects to it's location.
Guess where the alternator is on my Cobra project?

--
..boB
On Order: 2006 FXDI, Red.
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged Stolen 11/26/05 in Denver
1HD1GEL10VY3200010 CO License J5822Z
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

Ever looked for the alternator on a Jeep XJ/MJ with the inline 6?
While it is higher than the oil pan (barely), you r/r it from
underneath.

On Thu, 22 Dec 2005 17:07:11 UTC "Nobody" <[email protected]> wrote:

> This may seem like a stupid question. But can anybody tell me why ford or
> any other auto makers would mount the Alternators at the bottom of the
> engines so it can take a bath in what ever the tire slings at it. Now I will
> say I never had any problems with this setup yet. But It just sounds like a
> stupid place to mount electrical components. I would think you would want
> to keep them as dry as possible. And the best way to do that would be to
> mount it up high like most rear wheel drives are mounted. What would happen
> if I drove through high water and submerged it? Would it be ok after it
> dried off or would I be replacing it?
>
>
>


--
Will Honea

".boB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Nobody wrote:
>> This may seem like a stupid question. But can anybody tell me why ford or
>> any other auto makers would mount the Alternators at the bottom of the


>>
>>
> It's an excellent place for an alternator. It tends to get cooler
> air, which helps longevity. It lowers the CG ever so slightly. It allows
> for a better wrap of the other pulleys. It's out of the way for other
> repair/maint jobs.
> Every postion you place it in is going to be a comprimise. There's
> always going to be some good and some bad aspects to it's location.
> Guess where the alternator is on my Cobra project?
>

Never thought of it that way but it does sound logical if you baby your
ride. But not so good for off roading. Which I only do in my pickup anyway.
As for the SUV I only drive it on pavement. So I should have nothing to
worry about. unless I get stuck in a heavy downpoor and have to cross a
flooded road.