Alternator Removal, 3 hours, and still not out! Options

[dcheek]

I have a 1976 914 2.0 that I'm trying to get the alternator out to have it rebuilt. I've used the information of this site along with Pelican and the factory repair manuals. The only place that says you have to remove the left heat exchanger is the factory manual. At the very least there is one section of J shaped exhaust header towards the front held by three bolts through the pipe flanges that has tin around it that looks like it might have to be removed in order to drop the alternator out from the bottom. I've managed to remove all the tin screws, nuts and bolts and stopped at this point because there doesn't seem to be a way to get the alternator completely out without removing this pipe. Am I headed in the right direction? I have pictures of the piece if it would help to post them.

Dave

[dcheek]

Yesterday I put the rebuilt alternator back in the car. Started her up and no red light on the dash and the volt meter no longer jumps all over the place. I asked the guy who did the rebuilding and he said the diodes were bad along with the bearings.

I must say this job ranks as one of the worst service procedures I've ever performed myself. Can't see anything, hard to reach bolts/nuts, under the car, over the car etc. I know what not to do next time, which would save a bunch of time. I was planning on replacing the belts, but I couldn't figure out how to remove the air pump bracket to get the belt off. I looked in all the service manuals I have and they list nothing for a 1976 914. I will post this question as a separate thread.

Anyway, thanks to all for your help on this project. Anyone with a 1975 -76 914 that has to remove the alternator can PM me with any question they have. There are many items that have to be removed that are not on the earlier cars.

Dave