Question for all you owners of 88s out there. I just called to check and see if my local autozone had the 88 CS alternator in stock so I can upgrade my 87 SE. Apparently, the show a 5 groove pulley alternator which is $90 and special order or a 6 groove pulley which is $72.99 and is in stock.

The person indicated that the -5S and -6S in the part number were for the pulleys, but I thought that was clocking. Do your 88 V6 motors actually have 6 groove pulleys for the serpentine belt?

TIA.

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--Dillon
Green 1987 GT 5spd
Black 1987 SE V6 Auto

"And this one time, on the Fiero Forum..."

Looks like 5 groove to me:

It will be the same number of grooves as your crank pulley and water pump pulley. Clocking is irrelevant since it is easily changed.

JazzMan

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-08-2003).]

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-08-2003).]

5 for sure.. I had to pull them off the A/C and Alt and replace them for the 3800's (6)

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88 5spd 3800 Series II SC Formula Yes it whines... do you?

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Clocking is irrelevant since it is easily changed.

Very true. But one thing to be aware of is the front casting.
The V-6 alternator has the pivot point and the adjusting lug 180* apart.

The I-4 alternator is different. Seems like the same two points are only 120* apart.
If Autozone is confused about the pulleys (88 V-6s came with 5 grooves. 88 Dukes came with 6 grooves), they might be confused about this, too.

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Raydar

88 3.4 coupe. 17s, cut springs 'n all.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-08-2003).]

I got mine from Auto-Zone Finally got the SO*&^ on. I noticed my belt would squeek when taking off. I checked it and it seemed tight enough. On futher checking it out I noticed the alternator had six groves. was supposed to be five groves. I could see the outer edge of the belt was frayed a little, so I put the belt on the first 5 groves toward the alternator and it lined up perfect and no squeel. I don't see any reason it won't stay on the groves, only time will tell. It has lifetime waranty but I don't want to go thru changing again if it holds up.
Don

Not sure why but my 88 has a 6 grove pulley, while the WP and main pully are 5 groove.
Also, have you ever noticed some of the FI harness's on the 88 were metric pack vs. a flat weather-pak?.....Paul

quote Originally posted by Paul Prince: ...Also, have you ever noticed some of the FI harness's on the 88 were metric pack vs. a flat weather-pak?

My Formula has the "square" FI harness connector.

I have a theory. Don't know if it's correct or not.
The theory is that the square harness connector may be for disc-type injectors, where the flat connector is for pintle-type injectors. (I have heard that GM installed disc-type injectors in some Fieros. Hoping to make a little bit of sense out of it.)
In any event, that's one more thing I'm going to check, while I have the Formula "down" for other stuff.

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Raydar
88 3.4 coupe.

Coming soon...
88 Formula, presently under the knife.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-10-2003).]

I was busy over the weekend and did not get to get the alternator upgrade done, but I was planning on working on it tonight. I think I will install it as is instead of fighting with pulley removal and just see what happens...At least it is easy enough for me to remove.

I don't want to take it back to the store so they can swap the pulleys because then they might realize that they are getting an SI alternator back as a core...

The pulleys are easy to change if you have a impact wrench.this is a good tool to have and if you are not using it everyday a cheap one will do. like at harbor freight. Remember the top bolt on the alternator how hard it is to turn? with a Impact it spins right out.
Don

Well this job came to a grinding halt, and its time to retire my 87SE. I got the alternator loose but was still going to need to drop the cradle to get it out of the engine compartment. That would not have been a big deal assuming that the cradle mount nut welded to the frame had not broken loose. After further inspection, I noticed that the thing is rusting so bad in spots that I can actually see through holes in the cradle. The guy I bought the car from (back in 97) must have had it up north for some amount of time.

So I took the alternator back and I won't be driving the SE anymore...I just dont think its a good idea. I'm not parting it yet, because I do have a good cradle at my parents house, but it is going to sit for a while now.