Alternator - Rebuilt or New?

[SeaDweller]

I'm probably answering my own question here, but before I invest over $300 on a new alternator, I figured I'd see if anyone has had some luck with a rebuilt one.

I actually had mine rebuilt in July, but it has started making a noticeable grinding/clunking noise. I recall the shop saying something about a bronze bushing being worn pretty badly, and that they "resurfaced" it. I guess the tolerance was too far out of whack, and now my fan has scraped a little of the paint from the bottom of my fan housing.

Has anyone had any luck with a rebuilt alternator?

Thanks!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

[SeaDweller]

By the way, I realize that there are alternators for specific year models, yet I've also read about varying voltages. Is it possible to get a higher output alternator for a specific year model, and is it advisable?

Thanks!

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Michael
'78 911SC Euro

[stormcrow]

Mike,

I had mine rebuilt last year and hadn't had any problems. They replaced the bearings on both ends. I went ahead and checked the wiring and reinsulated it. Mine didn't have any bushing in it - 78 911 SC - maybe you need to take it to another repair shop for a second opinion.

Steve

[Early_S_Man]

Lots of people have reported great results with rebuilt alternators! It sounds like the shop that did yours ... cut a few corners! Replacement bronze bushings are available from any large industrial bearing supply store! It might take a couple of days to get the right part if it isn't in stock.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

[Joeaksa]

Had mine rebuilt by a local shop and spared no cost. Total bill was $75 and everything but the rotor, case and diode board was replaced. Works great and has been for over a year now.

Call around and find a good overhaul shop and have it done right this time. Redoing parts is not good when the cost to replace them is not that expensive.

JA

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

It is possible to change the alternators to lower or higher amperage models yet big amperage says more drag on the crank and more wight in the rear.
If you drive in darker areas like Norway or Alaska and need more electric devices you might run out of power in stop & go.

Today many people run high power Audio and need a bigger unit or a complete seperate alternator.

My opinion is that Porsche allways had a bit oversized units in the 911. Enough for Rallye use.

Grüsse,
Roland

[911racer]

I've rebuilt my 964RS alternator myself and it was dead easy and cheap. Biggest hassle was to remove and re-install it.
Regards
Stef

[Oldporsche]

Call around to the local automotive electrical rebuilding shops. Locally I have one where the owner understands bosche alternators and has been around long enough to have known the marschall units as well as others. He has found interchangable parts for the bosche units as well as others. We can quality control the units at each and every step. One time I had one with the field wiring burned out. Instead of throwing it away, we found that with a little modification on the Inside of the case we could fit a Ford/Motorola set of windings.

It worked very well. Well the alternative was to use it as a core! On top of that it returned to where it came from and fitted!

If you are able to rebuild an alternator, you not only save money, but you have one that fits with no modifications!

Good luck,
David Duffield

[john walker's workshop]

as the alternators increase in amp output,(50, 75, 90), they also increase in depth, requiring a fan housing that is cut deeper so the pulley still lines up with the crank. so if an SC alt is updated to a 90A carrera unit, you either have to use a carrera fan housing or machine your shallower one to accept the later unit.

[Reg]

My unit is about shot(it wobbles) and am thinking of having it rebuilt. My question is can any reputable local auto electric shop rebuild this unit in my car?

My guess would be the locals are used to rebuilding fords and chevys and dodge. I do not have any reputable Porsche mechanics local to me.

Should I fedex the unit to a larger centre, or go with a local guy?


Thanks!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

You'd be surprised what a specialized "local" alternator shop has seen and worked on, from enormous truck generators to Ferrari Marelli alternators. Had mine totally rebuilt--everything but the shell replaced--for $190 here in New York, and they didn't blink an eye when I brought in the "Paree Roan."

Stephan

[ebradway]

I'm definitely going to a new mechanic next time... I just had mine rebuilt at the tune of $250 per my mechanics recommendation. He shipped it off to Atlanta. To make matters worse, he replaced my fan with a new one I bought from Pelican Parts but I don't think he put the shims back in right (same thing I did to fubar it in the first place) and notched my new fan. I took it back to see what he would say - acted like I didn't know what was wrong. He said the belt stretched and just needed adjusting. I was under the impression that newer belts DID NOT stretch at all.

The mechanic claimed that most local rebuilders places were 'spray and pray'. They basically cleaned up the part and hoped it would work.

This really puts into question ANYTHING he has ever told me, including the results of my PPI!