Single Wire Alternators and other issues

[Sledge]

Pete:

I just got back from an overseas trip but I have to go out of town tomorrow for a few days, sort of a continuation of the overseas business...I should be back by early next week. Then I'm off for a couple of weeks. If it is handy for you maybe we could take a drive someplace over the holidays.

In between trips I'm trying to fix a leak in the thermostat housing. Found out that whoever installed this housing in the first place put two lock washers on one side and none on the other....and that the grip length for one bolt was a little short....I could have easily stripped out the threads on the manifold if I wasn't a pretty careful dude when it comes to tightening bolts going into aluminum parts. I've got new, proper-length bolts in place along with a milled housing face to make it flat and even, we'll see if that stops the leak when I get back from tomorrow's trip--I'm going to let the RTV cure while I'm gone.

I called Edelbrock to ask them what the torque should be for the housing, and they said (and I quote) "we just tighten them until the leak stops." Luckily I've got a neighbor across the street that knows what he is doing and doesn't mind helping, so I think we're in pretty good shape now (they're torqued to 160 in-lb).

Happy holidays to one and all!

Cheers

Bill