I’ve been assembling parts for my ‘70 W-30 for a while, and locating a correct 880 alternator was about the last thing to find. I located two, and one was in much worse shape than the other, so I figured why not see if I can clean it up? It came to me looking like it had been under water and then abandoned in the desert for 30 years. Full of mud and rocks, and mud dauber nests. Totally frozen. I dropped it in a bucket of Evaporust for two days.




Once it had soaked, I was able to get the shaft spinning easily, without force. It took a good hour under flowing water to clear the remaining dirt and rocks.

I carefully pulled it apart, using a trim remover tool so I wouldn’t damage the metal. Everything was stuck. And dirty.




I didn’t realize how simple these really were. I got the rebuild parts on eBay - rectifier, regulator, brushes, bearings, etc. About $25 all told.

I took the bare case and scrubbed it with degreaser and a nylon brush, followed by a brass brush. I know I can have this case blasted, beaded, etc but I’m trying to retain the original texture, and I don’t want to paint it. If I need to do something more down the road, I will.

After cleaning - empty case on right, other unrestored alternator on left.




I did a full cleaning with Eagle 1 Mag Wheel cleaner, then wiped the case with lacquer thinner. Once dry I rubbed everything with NevrDull and wiped it down with a terry towel. Reassembled with the new parts, and I’m thrilled with the results. Tested fine at Autozone!






I was impressed that the original finish on the fan and the pulley was still there under the dirt.

From this:



…to this:



All I did was clean - and I’m sure I can get this even better when needed next year. Bottom line, don’t be scared of an alternator rebuild - kits are available everywhere and it’s super simple.

Happy Oldsmobiling!

 

Starters are also just as easy.

 

I've had really good results using soda blast on aluminum castings. I had the scuzziest, corroded, stained TH400 case, and it cleaned right up with soda blast. Yeah, I even did the inside and the valve body passages in the case. I did take care to thoroughly flush afterward and use a lot of small bottle brushes to ensure all the soda was out of any passageway.

 

That one had all original innards too. You don't see that very often anymore.

 

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your process and results. I've got one on the shelf that needs the same treatment. Now I've got a Winter project

 

Joe, that was the only blast I could think of that wouldn't harm any of the surface texture - but I wasn't sure. I'm happy to hear you had success with that, and I may try to have that done. Thanks!!

 

Good job! I wonder why all the dirt and stones in it. Was it laying on the ground?

 

The number of insect nests inside it was probably the main factor. We always called them mud daubers because of the dirt tubes they would make. It was full of them. The number of rocks was curious, though. I had to catch them all before they clogged my sink - and I could still hear them rattling around again and again as I ran this thing under water. But nothing ever got in there that destroyed the inner parts! My biggest impression was of the Evaporust - I could be their spokesman from now on....