rebuilt or new alternator?

[rinverso]

looks like i'm gonna be in the market for a new alternator for my 86 3.2 targa. i've looked over the various replacement threads and refuse to be scared. i'm gonna take lots of pictures and mark all wires.
the question is, should i pull the alternator and let a local auto electrical shop do the fan pull and rebuild the alternator. or should i attempt to pull the fan blade off myself and buy a rebuilt bosch alternator or a new one?
any input is appreciated, i'm alittle nervous about this and only want to do it once.
thanks guys

[rinverso]

btw in actual real working time, how much time should i expect to get this project done?

[kidrock]

I've replaced dozens of alternators in front-engined vehicles. I've replaced ONE in a 3.2, and it really wasn't that difficult. Don't be intimidated.

I found that the most difficult things were removing the fan from the housing (pretty simple, really) and removing the alternator from the fan (a very minor PITA).

I followed John Walker's advice to removing the fan from the housing. I place a couple of wood blocks on the floor, and put something soft in between the blocks to catch the fan. Drop the housing onto the blocks with the fan facing down. A few drops (about 6"-12") and the fan will drop away from the housing.

For the alternator, many posters say to take it to a shop and have it pressed out. I took mine to a workbench and gave the alternator shaft a few decent blows with a wooden hammer. Your shaft will not mushroom as long as you use a soft material, and your bushings should all be replaced anyway.

Many here have stated that the quality of the Bosch reman units are questionable, at best. I'm sure there are plenty of good auto electric shops with Porsche experience in your neck of the woods. Just had mine rebuilt last month for less than the price of a rebuilt unit, and I'm happy.

You also get to clean the fan and housing while the alternator is out. Take advantage of it.

[Joe Bob]

You can find a new alternator?

Pretty sure that they are all remans or rebuilt by the owner DIY or by a local shop.

Remans suck.

[rinverso]

this is what i found for new alternators. price is $451 and it states it is new not reman. the reman is $251

[Joe Bob]

Trust but confirm......post a link......please.

[rinverso]

sorry could not link but here is the heading for purchase on amazon.
"Bosch AL401N New Alternator " if you go to amazon.com and enter this description or search for 911 1986 porsche alternator. this is what you'll find. if you have amazon prime, it is tax free and free shipping.
what do you think.

[frannyB]

Hi There,

I just did this due to a VERY noisy bearing. My car is a '86 Cab and the little engine shock made getting the fan far enough forward to get at the wires a bit of a pain, but I just worked slowly and out it came. I'm pretty sure it was the first time it was out. I took the alternator to a recommended local place that only does alternators and eight hours and $100 later I was all set. The fan shroud was a bit cracked in places, but I mixed up some JB Weld and heated and squirted it into the cracks to sure it up. The alternator was difficult to get out of the shroud and no amount of tapping with a plastic hammer would get it to budge. I finally used a large pair of Channel-Loc pliers to press it out a smidgen at a time moving from stud to stud. I did find the reason - there was a bit of corrosion on the mating surface effectively clamping it in. The fan literally fell into my lap while I was futzing with separating the alternator. I cleaned the shroud an fan as best I could, but finally broke down and sanded and polished them to get them clean. I put a bit of never-seize on the shroud/alternator mating surface before assembling and put it all back together and back into the car. It is now so nice and quiet and the polished fan and shroud are kind of growing on me

I hope some of this helps. I do have lots of photos if that would help.

Franny