Alternator I bought was too small. 3.8 v6

[Olgambler84]

Swapping out my alternator , old one was failing. The one I bought from autozone was not wide enough, do I buy one for a v8 or what?

 

[Gwarren79]

No, buy one for the correct engine. 3.8 is buick and chevrolet. Seems like you bought the wrong size.

 

[Olgambler84]

I checked two that came up when I looked for one for my car but both were short

 

[pagrunt]

Try another store other than Autozone.

 

[MrSony]

do you have a 3.8 chevy engine (distributor in back) or a 3.8 BUICK engine (distributor in front)?

 

[Gwarren79]

Since one of your posts says you have a Cutlass, I looked up a 1983 with a 3.8 and its lists a 5.5" case AND a 5 15/16" case .

And this is at Autozone.

 

[pagrunt]

do you have a 3.8 chevy engine (distributor in back) or a 3.8 BUICK engine (distributor in front)?

For the alternator used in our cars the cases are the from '78-'87/'88. They are clocked based on the engine family they are used on. I've used "incorrect" clocked alternators on different engines. If it's the wrong size them it looks more like an error on Autozone's catalog.

 

[Olgambler84]

Went to San Pablo automotive supply, and they informed me that I needed the higher voltage alt with the bigger casing. Went in with no problem

 

[Gwarren79]

Went to San Pablo automotive supply, and they informed me that I needed the higher voltage alt with the bigger casing. Went in with no problem

Same info given in post #6

 

[RegalBegal]

You need a 15SI alternator. You could also swap in a CS144 with 12-6 case clocking (say from a 1992 Eldorado) which is the same size