Brief Description: Snorkel/Alt Clearance Modifications - Part 1
After I got the snorkel installed, I went to put the alternator back on and discovered that there were a couple of clearance issues. The bolt mount on the alternator as well as the alternator support strut that connects to the starter both interfered with the top of the snorkel. Van's recommended just heating up the snorkel fiberglass with a heat gun and then pressing the subject parts directly into the softened fiberglass. I was skeptical that this was going to work, but alas, it worked very well indeed. When I made the indentment, I pulled the part a little bit farther than required so as to give a little bit extra clearance. Since there is no relative movement between the alternator and the snorkel, the minimal clearance should be okay.
Heating up the fiberglass does soften it, but it also seems to break down the epoxy resin somewhat. I reapplied new resin to the inside and outside of the snorkel in the areas that had been headed and reworked. I also applied a bit of resin to the rest of the outside of the snorkel, particularly around the areas that I had cut and file to be sure to seal up the open grain of the fiberglass.
The snorkel and the alternator fit up perfectly nice with each other now. The heating trick really works slick. Make sure that you don't over heat the fiberglass, though. I found that the coolest setting on my Master Heat Gun was just perfect.
