Rebuilt Alternator -- Which One to Buy?

scottb · 08-11-2003, 09:24 AM

Some of you may have read my earlier post, where I described my alternator failure on the way to BBR III.

I've sourced two rebuilt alternators locally. One is completely gone through with all new parts, and is $259. The other is $85, and has a new regulator, other new parts "as needed," and the winding is tested to be sure it's putting out proper amperage. The $259 alternator has a 3 year warranty, the $85 unit has a one year warranty.

My car is a weekend toy, not a daily driver. Which unit should I buy?

Thanks for the help.

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

I'd go for the $85 one. From a purely economic standpoint, as long as the $85 alternator lasts more than one year, it's the cheaper way to go. I bet that the $85 unit will last nearly as long as the more expensive one, especially if you don't drive the car that often.

350HP930 · 08-11-2003, 09:33 AM

As long as it has a new set of quality bearings in it I also say go with the $85 one. 99% of the time the only things that go bad are brushes, regulators and bearings.

echrisconnor · echrisconnor's Garage

Where did you find the $85 alternator? Did it have new bearings? I've found a rebuilt Bosch unit from Napa for $254 (sounds pretty good) and a Duralast for $200 from AutoZone.

scottb · 08-22-2003, 10:53 AM

I found it at a local rebuilder, Foreign Alternators & Starters, in Northridge, California. I think the bearings and regulator are new, and other parts replaced as necessary. I don't know if he does mail order. I doubt he has an internet site.

I'm skeptical, but since the car is just a weekend toy, I'm hoping that the unit will be fine. It's got a one year warranty.

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

Is it guarantied NOT to fail on the way to BBRIV?

How’s the oil pressure going?

scottb · 08-22-2003, 11:16 AM

Doc: You have mail.

Face · 08-22-2003, 12:21 PM

Got mine at Alternator Starter Express on-line for $150. Fully rebuilt including a Volt Regulator...
The first unit did arrive with a faulty VR (after I installed it I figured it out), ordered a fresh one from Pelican and they reimbursed me. No problems since.

scottb · 08-22-2003, 12:43 PM

I picked it up this morning. Gave him my old one as a core. I'll install it over Labor Day weekend (when I get my newly-polished fan and shroud back from Al Reed). Stay tuned, folks.

echrisconnor · echrisconnor's Garage

My local shop quoted me $170 - $200 for a complete rebuild. How would another shop be able to do it cheaper if brushes alone can be $55?

scottb · 08-22-2003, 12:57 PM

Prices are all over the map. A major rebuild shop in So Cal quoted me $250. Vertex has rebuilt units at about $170. My guess is that this isn't rocket science, and that people who do lots of them can do them relatively inexpensively. Unless my rebuilder has done an excellent job of faking it, the regulator looks like it's new. I think he also said the bearings were new, and other parts replaced "as necessary." I don't think brushes, at least at the wholesale/rebuilder level, are $55 per set. That sounds like retail for a regulator, which, of course, will be less expensive for a rebuilder.

I once had a Jensen Healey, and had a small local shop rebuild the alternator. It worked fine. So, I'm taking a chance here, but to save nearly $100 (over Vertex), I think it's worth it.

As to $170-200, that sounds awfully high. I'd get into the phone book and check other shops.

CarreraS2 · 08-22-2003, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by echrisconnor
My local shop quoted me $170 - $200 for a complete rebuild. How would another shop be able to do it cheaper if brushes alone can be $55?

Your local shop is charging you a "retail" price.

It may just be a So Cal thing because there are so many auto related shops out here, but out here, it seems fairly common for alternator shops to give the "wholesale" price to anyone who walks in the door.

scottb · 08-22-2003, 01:00 PM

Yeah...what Brian said.

echrisconnor · echrisconnor's Garage

called a couple other shops. Got from $140 - $200 as the common range. I guess it's the price you pay for not living in So Cal.

I think I'd still rather pay $170 to have it rebuilt by a local shop that I can walk into over Vertex.

scottb · 08-22-2003, 01:50 PM

If you're going to have to pay $170, I'd have a local shop do it (as long as you get a warranty). That way, you can avoid shipping charges, and you have a local point-of-contact in case you have any problems.

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Scott, Glad to here you on you way to recovery. If you need a hand give me a call.
I'm going to be putting a Dansk 1 in 2 out on the SC pretty soon and saw your recomendation for the PB blaster, I'll pic some up.
See Ya

scottb · 08-22-2003, 06:55 PM

Hey Bob. Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it!

PB Blaster is great stuff. If you're going to do the muffler, I highly reccomend it. Don't be shy, and really soak the nuts and bolts well. Let sit overnight. I was amazed how easily mine came apart. You should probably order new nuts and bolts with the new muffler.

Are you going to cut the valence yourself, or are you going to have a body shop do it?

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

The used muffler is coming with a 2 out valence.

scottb · 08-22-2003, 08:50 PM

Gonna paint it yourself, or have a body shop shoot it?

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Actually I was going to remove the bumper / extensions and valence and get them sprayed by the shop that sprayed the front of the car a few months back anyway. So the muffler will be the motivator. Twin pipes, nice new sound, that should do it