New or Rebuilt Alternator?
 

Seems almost all threads refer to rebuilding or purchasing rebuilt alternators. It's not clear to me how long these last.
My wrench cautioned against rebuilts whether he put it in or I did, says he replaces many rebuilts after only a few or several months.
I'll R&R the alternator but I'm not up to rebuilding besides it's my driver and I have to do it on a weekend.
What kind of life/luck are you guys seeing with rebuilt alternators?
If I go with a rebuilt, does anyone know of a place I can exchange mine around Huntington Beach, CA?
Thanks,
Pat
84 Targa

Mine was rebuilt 10 years ago by a shop in town. I just took the fan/alt out to clean the fan and housing. Went back to the rebuild shop and they checked the brushes and bearing for movement. They said everything looked great. The reputation of this shop is great and have been in business more than 20 years just doing Alt and starter rebuilds. If I have a problem again I will rebuid it again. IMHO it depends on the reputation of the rebuild shop and what attention to detail they use in their work.

I had mine rebuilt by a local rebuilder. $89, and two years later, and it's working perfectly.

What I did was get into my local Yellow Pages and find a rebuilder. If you need it done quickly, you might see if someone has a rebuilt on the shelf. Buy it, then R&R your old one, and then return the old one for the core refund.

Thanks--looks like a rebuild. Can anyone recommend a rebuild shop that should have one to buy off the shelf?

Pat
84 Targa

Just drop yours off and pick it up several hours later. All that will be done is some cleaning, inspection, testing, a light machining of the brush contact rings and installation of new bearings, brushes and regulator.

If your car is a creampuff you should be happy knowing that the core components are your originals.

It beats getting a rebuilt fashioned out of rejected parts from who knows where.

Its always been my personal experience that its not IF a rebuild but WHO. Some rebuilders are hacks and you will be gambling. If you go to a shop with a solid reputation you should come out fine.

+1 to the above.

You may want to ask your wrench or other people in the know who the best import auto electric rebuilder in your town is.

Four years and counting on mine. If its rebuilt correctly it will last for around 60-70k miles or this is what the average seems like for my car.

Its not as important to find a good "import" rebuilder as it is important to find a good overhaul shop in your area. My guy had never overhauled a 911 alternator but had done loads of this same alternator as its used in other applications. Cost was under $100 with some repair work...

JOeA

I'm convinced, I'll have mine rebuilt. Any shop suggestions in SoCal?
Thanks,
Pat

Pelican Parts

I'm convinced I don't need a new one. Our host has excellent pricing on new alternators, I looked around.
I like 350HP930's suggestion of having mine rebuilt. My car is a creampuff.
Pat
84 Targa

Pat: I had mine done in Northridge, which is a bit far for you. Get into your yellow pages, or the Yahoo yellow pages. I'm sure there are plenty of rebuilders nearby.

I have good luck with rebuilt alternators. The starters, that is another question.