About a week and a half ago I replaced the alternator on our 89 LX and I thought I mention how I did it on here because it might help if someone else needs to replace one in a similar car. I wasn't crazy about removing the drive shaft and stuff and the firewall method didn't look that great ether so after a little work I was able to get it out from the top of the engine. I removed the air filter housing and half of the vacuum lines above the alternator. i then removed the ACV-B (I think that's what it is called) and the other white vacuum thing near it. I also removed the water pump pulley so i would have more room. Then I removed the belt and unbolted the alternator and was able to get it out though to top of the engine. it was a tight fit but it worked. I'm not too sure how long it took because it was cold and i was working on it off and on but if i had to guess i'd say 2 to 4 hours.
oh if anyone deciteds to try removing the alternator this way there is a bracket for the power steering lines that is bolted to the driver side shock tower (or whatever it is called) and you will have to remove those bolts along with the metal vacuum lines that are right there.
hope this helps.
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