My 89' inline 6 has a nasty habbit of its alternator catching fire. I'm pretty sure it's the plastic peice-of-junk wire clip. I was wondering if someone makes an alternitive part for this, cause I kinda don't want to burn to death. So far, it's happend twice and I have started carrying a fire extinguisher with me.

 

When it catches fire, I assume you buy another one, right? You may be tightening the bolt on wire too tight. If it is too tight, you tear through the plastic or rubber insulation that isolates the wire from the alternator body. This causes a dead short and will start a fire.

 

New alt, but it has this big square plastic clip that hangs in there loosely.

 

I have never had a problem with the clip, but I have overtightened the bolt on wire and started a fire.

Hey, I was young.

 

I just looked at mine and there is no bolt on wire. It was a different car that I did it to. I guess that is why Ford alternators used to come with a new plug. Better change the plug.

 

I'll check that as well. The wires from the clip are now rock solid and fried. I think I should replace that as well. I'm compleatly beyond zip ties and duct tape.

 

Don't forget superglue and epoxy.

 

Apparently Ford did have a problem with that vintage of alternator / wiring setup. Every new alternator I bought from AutoZone and the one I bought after I got wise to AutoZone contained a new plug with explicit instructions about the need to change and specific details on how to make the splices into the existing harness.

This was before I soured on AutoZone - eventually realizing that a lifetime warranty loses its appeal when one has to replace the part every 6 months AND to keep the doggone receipt!