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Say 180 amps, 15 volts, 70% efficiency of the alternator - that load works out to:

180 * 15 / 0.7 = 3857 watts = 5.2 hp.

That's the max you could be losing to parasitic drag via the alt if that clutch was seized.

IMO leave it and say "the system actually uses the alternator to prevent wheelspin in some circumstances" and let people scratch their heads.

I predict he'll want the extra "free" 5.2 HP and spend 23.17 hours adding the necessary wiring and programming the ECU. Just because.

More realistically, that 180A is a maximum. Usual power demand would be much lower, I'd think.

I still need to do some moldings and I'm told tile has been ordered for the powder room wall, but I was in the shop for a couple hours tonight figuring out where I left off, and then grinding cylinder shims which is really really boring butr at least car work has resumed.


There is also now a negotiated settlement of car budget, Going forward I get $250/mon no questions asked....its not a lot but its way more than $0

Does the $250/mo have to go to pay down any previous car cost outlay?

No!..mostly. There was talk of the gasket bill but " they were ordered in Jan" carried the day. But it starts in Sept because we already spent all our money on the stupid floor.

Looking at the spreadsheet I made it's spent until about Aug 2026. I might sell off the dyno to get other parts i need more since it's not looking like I'll ever actually get it setup.

I guess I'm late to reply but I think you're right about the clutch in your alternator. My 2005 MB C230 has what is called a "sprag clutch" on the alternator and as you supposed it is used to keep the belt from whipping around. There is probably still a comparison video on youtube showing how effective the they are (I couldn't find it quickly.

I don't know if this needs to be a concern to you but on my car, when the clutch went out, it took my A/C compressor with it. Presumably, since your setup didn't have the clutch in the first place all the other belt driven components are fine with whatever belt whipping there is and also presumably, when the sprag clutch fails, the result is only belt whipping. But I don't know that's the case and clutch failure could have other side effects that you may have to worry about.

Hopefully that alternator works. On $250/Mon AC is at least next summer and more likely summer 2026.

I finished the shims up Friday


And today separated the engine from the trans ang got it on the stand. I looked for the bolts to mount it on the stanfmd for at least 1/2 an hour then lana pulled me to go get molding and while driving I was vaguely remembering tucking something in one of the tubes on the stand...yup, the bolts were in a zip lock tucked neatly into the top tube, right were I'd need them next time so they wouldn't get lost...DOH!

The liners were kind of stuck so I had to pull the crank


Then knock the liners a bit.....and yuck



I need to move back onto molding the rest of the day then a night or 2 cleaning stuff before I can start assembling anything but I'm hoping to have it on leak test by next weekend.

Productive evening. The cylinders are all better


For sure it was from letting it sit after a failed leak test, you can see where the water level sat



I also blasted most of the rust out of/off of the block

I do the same thing with bolts for stands. Then forget. Love the progress. Budget is good, just have to spread it out or maybe get an advance if needed.

_________________
Wade Williams
Master Ferrari Tech
Restoration Tech
Engine Machinist
Fabricator
Racecar Driver