Changed a new regulator/brush pack to my alternator because the battery light came on all of a sudden. Seems to have cured it.
My problem: when fitting alternator back the upper fitting to block was not correctly seated, did not look careful enough and put in the bolt and started to tighten. As it felt loose I just tightened it more and then, crack. As said, the bolt did not go through the engine block fitting, I was only tightening the alternator "ears" towards each other resulting a crack in rear "ear". Not broken off, just a visible crack in the alloy alternator housing where the fitting "ear" rises from the body of it. Well, just had to have the car on the road so put everything back together with more care and it sits there ok, not moving or anything and it did torque up ok on both bolts, upper and lower.
My question: how much force/torque will the upper rear "ear" be carrying? Am I safe to drive it through holidays/next year/next decade or is it designed so that this crack will cause the whole alternator to drop at some point?
My assumption is that I'm ok with it and looking at the system it seems that it would carry on with only the lower bolt
