Removing alternator pulley

[TomoHawk]

Higuys,

The alternator on my 280Z is a recent replacement, and after one year the pulley is rusted on the one visible cheek. I'm not sure is a rusted alternator pulley is correct/OEM for stock, but it doesn't look nice.

So I'd like to de-rust it and paint it. I don't think the polished Zinc plating would look right, unless I left it unpolished, but it would be difficult to just plate the one check and leave the groove unplated.

Is it possible to remove the alternator pulley while the alternator is still on the engine? What is the usual way to remove the pulley?

thxZ

[sblake01]

I've only done a couple of them in my lifetime. You need a puller and from what I recall, it would be so much easire to do it on a workbench rather than on the car.

[Maples71240Z]

take a air impact to the nut.

[TomoHawk]

I did a little research earlier and it seems on other cars, you need to remove the nut, and then use allen wrenches to remove some grub screws before the pulley comes off.

It was a big pain to get the alternator on the first time, so I was going to leave it on this time. If I have to, I'll take the fan off, so I can get at the pulley with steel wool and a stubby paint brush.

thxZ

[sblake01]

take a air impact to the nut.

Actually, I used the air impact on the pulley remover after removing the nut.

[TomoHawk]

I only have manual tools also. but I think there might be a length of gaspipe in the attic somewhere.

Is there any problem with painting the pulley? It is somewhat protected from flyong debris by the radiator, but still gets a fair amount of water-spray on it. I still have some silver ceramic caliper paint I could use.

thxZ

Edited January 25, 2010 by TomoHawk

[geezer]

How hard can it be to just pull the alternator, clean it up, paint the pulley without taking it off of the alternator, then reinstall it? No point removing the pulley if your not equipt to do so.

[TomoHawk]

You probably could paint the pulley without removing it, but the back side might be rusted too. You can't see the back from above.

[Pilgrim]

There is no way to do this right with the alternator on the car, and it's not hard to remove. Pull it and make your life easier and the results much better. Trying it in the car is a waste of time and energy.

[lbpdz]

and it gives you the chance to look at the brushes, etc while you are in there (if you oare so inclined). Take your time and the whole piece will look great