BMW E30 Alternator Restoration

Please read the full description for any information about the video.
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Tools & equpitment used:
Quartz Lacquer - goo.gl/8PTVKM
Base Coat Paint - goo.gl/mWhufG
Rust Remover - goo.gl/13gopW
Moldex Full Face Mask - goo.gl/NNYGrv
FGL 5 Spray gun - goo.gl/Acg5rd
A.N.I. R150-T Mini Spray gun - goo.gl/cHTJS2
Colad Washable Overalls - goo.gl/3Css9E
Colad Mixing Cups - goo.gl/8DYmE8
Colad TurboMix Sticks - goo.gl/cYZfks
Colad Synthetic Paint Strainers - goo.gl/H79ZgL
Steel wire bits - geni.us/keyaD
Rotary Tool - geni.us/HGed
Concentrate Degreaser - geni.us/yUn9
Mannesmann Socket Set - geni.us/HCDZ
For all your electroplating needs - www.gaterosplating.co.uk
I have previously done this restoration for my E30's alternator about a year ago. I remember it being a fun and interesting project and decided to attempt another one, only this time, it was very rusty. This alternator was tested working before the restoration. However, this was more for the aesthetics.
I began by dismantling the alternator completely. This was difficult as most of the bolts were seized. After some persuasion with various tools, they all came. An impact driver is now on it way to me. I then gave each part I was about to blast a clean to save the blasting media from grease and dirt. I then blasted the case, the fan and pulley and the nuts and bolts. I then clean the parts with isopropyl in preparation for paint. Firstly I etch primed them and then none-sand primed, and then coloured and lacquered. I then zinc plated the fan, pulley and bots that attach to the front of the alternator. My plating solution is not in good condition. It should be clear, not foggy. I also don't show the water bath I have for dipping the parts in, in between different baths. Whilst I let the plating dry for two days, I set about changing the brushes on the voltage regulator. I then strip, clean and paint the stator red. Adding lacquer to the coils for protection. I decide to buy a new rotor as I found one for a very good price and the original was very worn. I then reassemble the alternator and the restoration is complete.
- Disclaimer: I am no professional. Especially when it comes to electrics. It is certainly an area I am looking to improve in. I am completely self-taught and would appreciate any feedback, advice or constructive criticism.
I don't add music to these videos so that you can choose to listen to what you like if you would like to.
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[@jonvancil4431]

Couple of things... 1. Thanks for not blasting some obnoxious music on the video. 👍🏻 2. Thanks for taking the time to get the lighting, camera angles, and focus right.👍🏻 3. Thank you for not stumbling and mumbling through fifteen minutes of pointless monologue. 👍🏻 Superb video. Skills wise you are a ninja. Subbed.

[@jonvancil4431]

Restore I love restoring old things as well. I don’t have your talent though. I have a 1977 Porsche 924 I am on again off again restoring.

[@falconflylow]

Jon Vancil yea, muricans can beat the shit out of u talking 5 times longer than actual video could be

[@jonvancil4431]

falconflylow 🙄 yes yes 🤔

[@nathanielreid4967]

I would like people to stop complaining (bitching) about obnoxious music, camera angles and all that Jazz, when they are not pay for shit. Be thankfully for the efforts put forth with limited resources

[@jonvancil4431]

Nathaniel Reid 🤔 So you’re saying it requires effort to put crappy music over out of focus video of a guy mumbling shit he should have worked out before hitting the record button? Just asking for a friend ya know...

[@MrManUnited1231]

These restoration videos sit so well. It's so refreshing to see someone attempting to repair something instead of going out and buying a new version. Keep up the good work!

[@DrVink86]

I could sit and watch your videos for hours. No music, no talking, the natural sped up sounds are great... but most of all you do GREAT work!

[@petarradovanac3132]

Kako

[@EduardoLopez-fy4sw]

haoi

[@Chrisgalin]

I agree!

[@unkjason]

You said it all

[@Jack-te6yf]

Was rebuilding an m30 alternator from my e30 and got stuck, this was incredibly helpful. Everytime I get stuck working on my e30 I check your channel, the videos are so well put together and easy to watch. Keep it up!

[@austinhicks3765]

ya know i started watching your videos three days ago. i haven't left my house for work and i haven't even seen my wife. this is so mesmerizing....i fear i may lose my job and wife watching your videos but gosh darn it, worth it!

[@HandToolRescue]

Don't die.

[@nelsonz4392]

"THAT'S A LOTTA DAMAGE!" LOL!! That Flex tape. Such a beauty, that's a lot of talent! Keep up the great work.

[@Malligmallan]

PZ2 bit on a PH2 screw, breaks my heart, no wonder you stripped it ;)

[@scottlegofowler7485]

I'm restoring a 1986 2 door 325i. I paid $500 for it from a friend whose uncle was the original owner. It only has 120,000 miles on it with hardly any body damage. I found that the rack and pinion of a new BMW Z3 roadster fits my BMW perfectly and at the same cost of an E30 rack and pinion. I love your channel.

[@rumpled.gaming6045]

I LOVE that you show the label for things you're using now!!! Thank-you so much for doing that!

[@SelectDnb]

1 Step closer to getting that E30 back on road, great vid bud!

[@jaybdub77]

Love the style. No music, no talking, good video focus, original sound, sped up at right points, etc. final score: 10 out of 10.

[@DJWerkz]

Wow this brings back memories, my first job when I left school in 1983 was as a trainer auto electrical engineer. I used to knock out 10 of these alternator restorations a day in peak busy period. We never painted the aluminum housing though, these were sand blasted and polished on a buffing wheel.

[@DanSyvitski]

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite channels. Keep up the good work.

[@lewiscunliffe1051]

Daniel Syvitski yeah so glad I stumbled across it, weirdly very therapeutic to watch haha. Keep it up “restore it” 👍🏻

[@worshipmelody1]

Oh man that's nice! I want to see you restoring a car! That will be the ultimate restoring project. Can do it spread in time like for an year, to reatore bit by bit... If you do an actual E30 restoration you'll be the best!

[@bennetaiken9849]

Awesome video! Built engines, restored airplanes, etc., but I've always been afraid to touch an alternator! Now I'm not! Thanks for a great video!!

[@RestoreIt]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching Bennet.

[@lukeromeril]

Honestly, best restoration videos on the internet. no flash, no noise, just superb content. bravo!

[@HandToolRescue]

Now do the rest of the car!

[@repcsi]

I did a resto mod on my E30 that I was using on the track, I removed the rust from an e36 318is rear subframe and brakes (has nice disk brakes in the rear), welded in some brackets for the diff to make it stronger and replaced the outer joints on the diff to use the e36 rear axles. Painted the whole thing in matte black :) .

[@OMG11WE]

Im in the same boat of endless money and a life time or two to finish my e30

[@deividasabrutis7248]

You should be worried if you get lower than 14v while alternator is running. 14v is absolutely normal while engine is running

[@TheCreedBratton]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@barryphillips7327]

Haha lol.

[@SterlingGuitarst]

8 seconds in and we gotta jantran reference, gold.

[@ttoddh1]

I respect someone saying a bracket was unsafe to save. Safety should never come in second to anything in a restoration.

[@EricAbbottTri]

Probably the only person in history to clear coat the alternator and I am absolutely here for it. Fantastic!!!

[@RestoreIt]

Haha, I appreciate this comment, but since this video, I have learned how much of a bad idea this is. It's the thought that counts, though, right? Cheers!

[@EricAbbottTri]

@@RestoreIt fair point. Good for you for continuing to learn and improve.

[@LifeOfPabs]

this deserves way more views. simply incredible

[@colinaskey9777]

again another top notch refurbishment of a throw away machine that should always be refurbished,we live in a wasteful society which is sad,but your refurbishment definatley gets my thumbs up

[@thetman0068]

Most people don't have access to the thousands of dollars of space and equipment he does, making it much more financially viable to just buy a new alternator and give the core to a company who's just going to rebuild it anyways.

[@230Bigpapi]

Colin Askey I work at a parts store and anything that is considered "valuable" like altnators, starters, batteries, maf sensors, master cylinders, calipers, and more are sent back as cores to be remanufactured and sell as a cheaper option most of the time offering the same warranty.

[@jaredshaffer3901]

Even if it isn't remanufactured, almost all of the parts he restored would be recycled

[@skylinefever]

Sure, people do remanufacture alternators and other auto parts, but often they don't work or look as good as the original unit. That is why some car restorers will go to great lengths to get the smallest details correct. For example, I often had to install cheaply rebuilt power steering pumps and racks that looked awful. Someone would just pray and spray flat black paint, and by the time the part arrived, some of that paint was already peeling off.

[@mandelaeffect3521]

They dont get thrown away, they always get refurbished or recycled since they are made up of aluminium, copper,steel, etc. There's a core charge on alternators and starters. Return the old part and get your core charge money back, and the parts store will send it to a manufacturer for restoration to be resold again.

[@memoio8202]

Even for other kind of tasks you give ideas, you are a master, thanks much.

Best restore channel on youtube!!!!

[@nostalgiarte]

More E30 !! keep up the good work dude ;)

[@mrr5654]

Oh man this takes me back to a summer job i had, i used to work at a place that would restore alternators and starters.

[@skylinefever]

Those places are disappearing, but I am lucky enough to be near one. I was working at a car repair shop, when a customer brought in a tractor that wouldn't start. The process of diagnosing the problem was no different than diagnosing a car, and we determined that the starter had failed. Since none of us knew much about buying parts for heavy equipment, we gave the local rebuilder a call and he got the job done at a good price.

[@stu7604]

The last time I saw somebody rebuild an alternator... It was me doing it as a high school kid working in an IH tractor repair shop after high school and on weekends. I think you do a more comprehensive job than I did! Nice work!

[@ianjohnson6835]

DUDE YOUR VIDEOS MESMERIZE ME!

[@OfficalTCG]

Bro hit us with more e30 stuff! Nice job as always!

[@bagusbaskhoro1798]

YESS!! DO MORE E30!!!!

[@scoutsatan6206]

One thing I wanted to mention while you are restoring some of the older tools and whatnot be careful with the old paint some of it might contain lead and if the particles are small enough you could breath it in which is harmful

[@mtb_landin]

Amazing work.. it's nice seeing someone doing the work instead of just buying new.. this alternator looks so much better than a new one.. :)

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks dude :)

[@SpecialStealth]

WOW Excellent job I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you

[@felix945]

good to hear no annoying music :-)

[@user-cf4wk1ki1n]

Wu

[@Medes06]

you have the knowledge and the tools. Amazing job.

[@manoschag]

RESPECT BROTHER. YOU'RE UNBELIVABLE!

[@erikluna4442]

All that needs to be done to alternator I am speechless 😧 dude you’re hella smart fr ! Just extraordinary !

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you Erik!

[@andrewc326]

These videos give me joy

[@hecatonchiresbrood1421]

beau boulot précision et minutie pour un résultat magnifique lui c'et un bon !.

[@jimwinchester339]

12:21 - Nice magic show. Seriously, superb metal surface work.

[@ALHAMMADI1988]

My name is Mohammed and I am from the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi). I am thankful for the great effort in repairing this piece. I am a fan of your channel. I admire how cars are repaired, mechanical parts, electrical parts and others. Thank you. 👍🏽

[@subnormalwater8158]

your painting and plating skills are what make you stand out from the others.. well done :)

[@luh2112]

But soldering is a bit crusty...

[@subnormalwater8158]

you can't be perfect on everything :D

[@Andr3wC0wart]

Honestly I think ur the best restoration KZbin you’re videos are amazing :D

[@HandToolRescue]

I'm moderately offended.

[@nasseralhajri6966]

Andrew Cowart I agree

[@nightblazzed]

He makes great videos. I wouldn't say he is the best restoration channel though. I personally like Hand Tool Rescue a lot more.

[@gammis6699]

Sheesh! Subbed before even watching a video, and boy, was it a good call. Keep up the good work!

[@alanr4263]

Funny I use to rebuild Alternators & Staters when I was in my 20's man never thought I'd see it on KZbin.F.a.E n.y. Great job.

[@KSMike1]

Great work! If I could offer one tip - when soldering those types of connections, consider using a bit of extra flux, and dwell just a half-second longer on the joint. A couple of those were bordering on being cold solder joints which can fail in time.

[@jeffbriner4232]

We use soldering scissors with flux in the solder.

[@OPeugeotdoDiego]

Aqui no Brasil minha Chevrolet S10 gasolina usando um alternador muito parecido com pequenas diferenças externas já tive que fazer a reforma também. Parabéns saudações aqui do Brasil!

[@DanielSantos-fv5lh]

O Peugeot do Diego isso é muito bonito como restauração de peça mas não funciona para não trocou placa de doidos e bem o regulador não mediu nada nem estator nem rotor .isso pode tá todo em curto. Sei lá mas valeu

[@OPeugeotdoDiego]

Daniel Santos o meu eu testei tudo troquei induzido e tudo mais

[@alejandropacheco2633]

No.no.no.S10 is Delco or Delphi ! This is Bosch 😁😁😁✌️🇲🇽👋no speak English😂😂And no Portugués😂😂

[@frankstrawnation]

Com relação ao rotor, ele substituiu por um novo.

[@alejandropacheco2633]

frankstrawnation nuevo ..ok100%

[@rdperformance8697]

Amazing job

[@EvelOttos]

I love that no matter if it's a Phillips head, allen head or torx head....when we get into a pickle, we turn it into a slotted head and all turns out okay. Makes you think why we just don't go back to making them all slotted to begin with.

[@barryphillips7327]

Great job, almost better than new.

[@bigcraigy1]

Would be good to see more of the E30 bits getting restored. Brilliant stuff again!!

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

bigcraigy1 what’s E30?

[@bigcraigy1]

Prepperjon it’s a model code for the BMW 3 series 1982-1994.

[@josecancello590]

Nice job. Congratulations!

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you, as always Jose!

[@khalid-khalid1]

ابداع منقطع النظير👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 وعمل متميز ومهاره لامحدوده👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 هنيئا لك هذا العمل الرائع 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 واصل يامبدع🌹

[@kjamison5951]

A Russian did this damage: her name? Alotta Koroshin. Great resto!

[@K0d3x92]

oh man, these videos are addictive

[@chiefpepdesign]

Great video again. Love the channel!Two words: heatgun, impact screwdriver. That's what you mis when you handle those locked screws. Keep it up!

[@synthfljoe]

I don’t know why but this video has made me really appreciate how amazing humans are

[@MaikEletrica]

Very nice! Perfect job

[@onthewrist5006]

So oddly satisfying.

[@marianpelmus]

yes :))

[@drlong08]

Wound up swapping in an e30 90 amp into my E21. Glad a u had the bracket as well! Nice work!

[@vikramsinghrathore6693]

One professional restoration, Awesome !

[@Stikker021]

You do a really good job with your restorations, the best BY FAR in the KZbin community. The only crit I have is you should spray pen oil on as soon as you receive the item, it takes time to penetrate, will make your life so much easier. Well done. 👍👏

[@gotritons27]

A youtuber just did a series where he compares 6 different pen oils, forgot the name though, would be worth it to check out.

[@davidatwater3744]

Tyler Sloan I believe you are talking about the Project Farm one.

[@gg56850]

Added to my 'usefull stuff' list, i'm restoring a 1982 lancia beta coupe

[@MRNVCDIY]

Very nice. Perfect job

[@molliarti]

Love Bmw,love restorations,love your finish work.

[@mindgame112]

That electroplating setup was really cool!! Just found your channel going to watch a whole lot more if you upload ;)

[@gutsngorrrr]

Great video as always, but you need to clean the tip of the soldering iron and then tin it with fresh solder, so the tip is shiny, which will help when soldering, also with large parts like this, use some flux on the item being soldered, let it heat up and then apply the solder, the solder should flow easily, on to the part and will make for a much better joint.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

YOu should really use a soldering gun. And much chunkier solder than that.

[@tslater1989]

Agreed, flux is your friend. Some of those look like cold solder joints, which is prone to cracking under vibration. I would recommend getting a solder station with an iron amd heat gun. They are cheap, but they work well. Solder your joints, use the heat gun on heat shrink tubing. I've had my ebay 898d+ for about 5 years, and just recently the iron is in need of replacement. Keep in mind, I live in a all weather climate, and its in my barn/workshop.... Good work though, most would rather just buy a refurbished one.

[@tslater1989]

terrapin52 correct, less is more, a good solder joint will still shine. You should be able to see the wires, but they look plated.

[@ericness9744]

I cringed when i seen his soldering iron tip

[@MrStonedBuddha]

Get yourself a nice american beauty iron and make sure to heat up the part to allow the solder to flow into it. Really want to try and avoid cold solders (getting the solder too close to the tip and dripping it into the part)

[@angeldawnmorningstar]

I remember MY 1st BMW alternator resto-mod .... good times 👍

[@JoKeRAzzam]

Man! ... this channel is so satisfying, restoring things fixes my soul :)

[@jackgibbons7410]

Looks brand new, wow

[@evolutionglitch4739]

Ian Gibbons Have you seen new ones? It looks a lot better than new! Looks more like those $600 high output alternators.

[@E1Jproductions]

HELL YEAH ANOTHER VIDEO

[@dredrotten]

I like doing things like that including old solid wood furniture that you can sand and polish back to its former glory.

[@CarlosMendoza-ug8jh]

Quedo excelente, saludos desde Perú, yo tengo este mismo alternador instalado en un Mercedes benz y haré lo mismo, gracias por este video

[@TiagoSeixasz]

🔝 Não sei como que alguém pode dar deslike no trabalho do cara !!

[@djalmadonizettidecarvalhoc5586]

INVEJA...

[@c5a6parts68]

I work on classic cars, and I'm beyond impressed ... I'm in awe. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks man appreciate it!

[@Apathymiller]

just found your channel about 12 hours ago, been watching your videos ever since. love it. just wish i had a shop so i could TRY to do stuff like you do. very very entertaining channel, thank you for putting out all of these videos!

[@mikemoyercell]

very nice work - would look great under the hood of any vintage bmw

[@SuperFredAZ]

This is a thing of beauty!

[@kallekillerapa]

Awesome job dude! Minor tip for next project, keep the heat for a bit longer on your solderings.

[@vincevega5515]

stfu

[@xagtly]

Vince Vega. You should Shut The F@ck Up. You must lurk in the background a lot. I've seen your smart arsed comments before. I was going to say the same thing as Karl E. Dry solder joints. They can create intermittent faults. Hard to diagnose when it's working properly one minute and not the next. Besides the person doing the work asked for constructive comments. At least KarlE was constructive. Grow a pair and man up.

[@vincevega5515]

@steve clayton STFU

[@vincevega5515]

The soldering part was sped up, the heat was fine, @Steve Clayton

[@vincevega5515]

@Steve Clayton... fuck you again

[@terry1427]

quite an amazing vehicle is the e30, great restoration

[@jeffbriner4232]

Looks good. I've never put a bearing in one of them the way he did. Bearing, cover plate then the rotor and then the back. Been rebuilding that style for the past nineteen years at the starter shop.

[@marcchambers1972]

Nice job mate, the rotor looks so well made and has a alien look to it 👽, enjoy all your projects great work

[@PixistoVOLTSTECH]

Very very very nice job !

[@francoamerican4632]

18 minute video seemed like 5 minutes! 5-stars and another 5-stars for not inserting annoying background music.

[@ilfordino-fordfiestatutori8725]

No chats, just working. Love this channel, love the car, love the project. Keep it up!

[@RestoreIt]

Thank you il fordino !

[@jocking3]

What you need is an impact screwdriver, with that there will be no more stuck screws.

[@richardwhitaker4148]

I was just getting ready to say "Ever heard of an impact screw driver?" They work wonders. Lisle is a very good one, don't go cheap.

[@historyhunter5215]

They have ones where you hit it with a hammer and it drives down while spinning.

[@joshstabler3438]

@@richardwhitaker4148 I think I have a MAC one. Works well.

[@cagmito76]

Yeah i agree i did not like Impact screwdrivers but only ever had cheap ones then i used a Snap on PIT impact screwdriver and they work , just about everytime so if you get one get a good one Teng is ok too , I think he was using a Posidrive bit for a philips head screw as well which does not help , but i could not see to be sure . nice work though cannot fault the end result .

[@matthewmartin7639]

I have a Kobalt one and it's incredible.

[@alial-shameri2146]

It's fantastic job

[@celsomendes3712]

Tenho uma f1000, desanimei de consertar o alternador e fui obrigado a substituir-lo, serviço lindo,Parabéns

[@jarrettiovinella6866]

You make it look easy. Beautiful work.

[@dhc4ever]

With stuck screws that are starting to strip out, make sure you have a fresh driver bit, clean out the screw head and apply a bit of valve grinding paste to the bit, this stops the bit slipping in the screw head and allows a lot more torque to undo the screw, if that doesn't work try the same with an impact driver and then have at it with a drill or grinder to get the head off if all that fails. I noticed youve covered your sandblast cabinette against over spray. 😊 Where did you find this thing, at the 3 fathom Mark of the dead sea?

[@ravindradaundkar4899]

Very common mistake about Phillips screws is they use wrong size of bit, so it slips from screwhead and starts grinding it.

[@peters4067]

Dude! I swear I subbed you when you had like 20k subs what was like 3 weeks ago... and now you have 72k..! That's crazy man! Well done! We need more E30 videos 👌🏻👌🏻

[@kamilswiacki3378]

Exactly :)

[@povilasrikteris]

Peter Stewart I'm agree, same situation! :D Nice videos! :)

[@thakingis]

138k now ☻

[@thakingis]

121bham That's fast lol wtf 😂

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

What’s E30?

[@Gedakt8]

damn, impressive! awesome videos, thank you for sharing this artwork.

[@dionwalcott9677]

I Really enjoyed this. I Wish I have all of those equipments to restore mines I only have some but I'll make what I have do.

[@mirkosikman8592]

i love your videos! keep up the great job

[@jurajrafaj5314]

You have awesome videos, but there are some things in this video that got my attention. First, I don't know why did you bother yourself with changing the brushes, voltage regulator is a spare part and it costs less than 30$. Second, you are doing full restauration and you put back old heat tubes that are in bad condition on stator wires. Third, I have noticed that when you assembled the alternator, it didn't spin freely like it should, that means that bearings didn't sit all the way down, so there will be a lot of friction and heat that will result breaking down the bearings. Don't look at this as a negative comment, just some guidelines for next restauration :) Looking forward to see more of your videos :)

[@MorebeatsTV]

This channel is nuts. Can't wait to see finished beamer

[@selvacorpi]

yo debo hacer lo mismo con el 20% de tus herramientas y el 45% de tus conocimientos para un daihatsu del 90, por cierto te quedo magnifico, GREAT JOB!

[@robertomejia85]

is it a good job .! thanks for sharing, Greetings from Honduras

[@exponentialhorse]

You deserve a medal

[@djcorel6851]

Meus parabens a esse profissional Essa é a verdadeira reciclagem .nao destruiu a pç mas sim a restaurou toda .esta nova e pronta para o uso !