97 Chevy c1500 4.3 v6 - Remove Alternator Bracket

[broughtcornet31]

I messed up and dropped a 6 inch extension attached to a 13 mil socket between the accessory drive and the block. I figure I could remove the alternator bracket to be able to get a better look and locate the extension. I was replacing the thermostat at the time. Short story is that the job turned into a nightmare. How do I remove the alternator bracket?

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

This is the bracket from a 4.3 from an S10. Yours will be similar... Remove the alternator, remove the bolts

 

[broughtcornet31]

How does the removal of the bolts go? Are they a pain, any chance that they snap?

 

[454cid]

You can't get it out with a magnet on a stick? The newer ones usually have pretty powerful magnets on them.

 

[broughtcornet31]

You can't get it out with a magnet on a stick? The newer ones usually have pretty powerful magnets on them.

I can't see it. Trust me I wish it was that easy!

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

How does the removal of the bolts go? Are they a pain, any chance that they snap?

IIRC it's pretty easy, just three bolts that go through the bracket and into the engine block (at the bottom of the bracket) and the head (2x at top of the bracket).

Again, going from memory.

Try this: Remove the serpentine belt. Leave the alternator bolted on the bracket if you can, remove if you must. Loosen the bottom bolt on the bracket (into the engine block), remove the top two bolts (into the head) and let the bracket tip away from the engine a bit... hopefully you'll be able to access your stuff then.

I may have left out a detail or two, it's happy hour now and my attention is elsewhere.

 

[454cid]

I can't see it. Trust me I wish it was that easy!

You don't necessarily need to see it, to get a magnet on it.

 

[broughtcornet31]

You don't necessarily need to see it, to get a magnet on it.

That's why I am also buying a cheap borescope! You got my gears turning now!

 

[broughtcornet31]

IIRC it's pretty easy, just three bolts that go through the bracket and into the engine block (at the bottom of the bracket) and the head (2x at top of the bracket).

Again, going from memory.

Try this: Remove the serpentine belt. Leave the alternator bolted on the bracket if you can, remove if you must. Loosen the bottom bolt on the bracket (into the engine block), remove the top two bolts (into the head) and let the bracket tip away from the engine a bit... hopefully you'll be able to access your stuff then.

I may have left out a detail or two, it's happy hour now and my attention is elsewhere.

Hey thanks for the information! Enjoy your beer!

 

[stutaeng]

Here's a 4.3 Vortec from a NBS, but probably the same as yours. There's a gap between the water pump and timing chain cover. I dropped the EGR gasket and 1 bolt when I was replacing it once. Had to get new.

When I pulled the engine the u-shaped cross member had a 10 mm socket I had dropped a long time ago. There was also a 10 mm ratcheting wrench made by Blue Point. I don't know whose that was, but it wasn't working properly.