Any experience with parts store alternators?

[Secret Chimp]

My original alternator is getting pooped and doesn't like running the heater fan at idle along with anything else (lights or wipers or both).

I don't really need a 100 amp Powermaster or anything, as the only electrical accessories I have that are non-stock are my MSD 6AL box and a little 15 watt amplifier in my glovebox. If I upgrade my lighting at all it'll probably just be halogen sealed-beams on relays.

I can get an "Ultima," "BesTest" (which sounds worst), or a Beck-Arnley 60 amp from O'Reilly's for around $60 or less. However I've heard horror stories about remanufactured alternators going out for other makes of cars - I'd rather have crappy output than be stranded a month later.

I've only heard people's reports on bigger alternators since a lot of people are running hot engines with electric fans and whatnot. Are any parts store brands any good or should I just pay more for a larger alternator for reliability's sake?

 

[okiemopar]

I got mine from Rock Auto. Ronnie

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Not what you are looking for but I got the Tuff Stuff 100 amp one wire black powered coated. works great and will charge at idle which is a huge benefit over any stock style plus you can loose the voltage regulator and the ballast resistor. $129 from Jegs. Worht every penny and looks great with my mopar performance valve covers

 

[67 coronet]

if you are not wanting to upgrade,go with a brand name.(beck arnley,denso,autolite)stay away from stuff that sounds weird.most important,inspect it before you buy.should sound very smooth when you spin it,and all the terminals and pulley should look new.

 

[70rr-brian]

I bought a cheap rebuilt alt from autozone in a pinch a couple of years ago.... It is still doing just fine. I'm not gonna fix it if it aint broken.

 

[1971RR]

Buy some new brushes instead. Couple bucks tops. New alternator with enough money left over to take your honey out to dinner.

 

[moperformance]

I put a new not rebuild 100 Amp GM (Yeah I know) 3 wire alt on the Super Bee because of constant problems we were having on the road between Fl and Wis. 3 voltage regulators and two MOPAR alt later. So finally in Miller park on the first day of the 05 Hot Rod Power tour out of desperation and to just get the thing home I put the GM alt on. It's still there 7 years later and I ain't messing w it you do have to wire the white (field) wire ti the ignition through a diode or relay to keep it from back feeding the ign which keeps the engine running if you don't isolate some how.
hope this helps,
Good Luck!
Hope this helps

 

[Slantsixdan]

"Remanufactured" parts, including alternators, are often disappointing. Quality is poor, performance and reliability are even poorer. Abusive cleaning methods, mixed-up (non-matching) electrical parts from multiple originals are thrown together, low-bid/low-quality consumable parts are used…junk-junk-junk, no matter how fancy the "lifetime warranty" (i.e., you get to spend your lifetime replacing failed parts under warranty.


There is no good reason to degrade your car with this trash. Nor do you need to overspend for a PowerMaster or similarly promotionally-enhanced (hyped) alternator. You can get a new Chrysler alternator in any of several amperage ratings from Old Car Parts Northwest.

 

[THE STIG]

I haven't had to replace my alternator yet but I have replaced the coil and Battery (twice) with AZ replacments. Both batterys ended up having bad cells, the first was covered by warranty and I got a new one free then the replacement crapped out less than a year later so I opted to get the third battery from O'reilly and havent had any problems yet. I replaced the coil last fall but when I could'nt keep the car running I took it to a shop and they told me the coil was bad, it had never been driven so when the alt does go bad I wont be using anything from AZ/Duralast.

 

[Moparsmitty]

Don't know about the Everett area but up north here I've had good luck with Whatcom Electric & Battery up in Bellingham. They have rebuilt starters, alternators and even the occasional generator for me with good results. Their website is Whatcomelectric.com. Check them out.

 

[Secret Chimp]

"Remanufactured" parts, including alternators, are often disappointing. Quality is poor, performance and reliability are even poorer. Abusive cleaning methods, mixed-up (non-matching) electrical parts from multiple originals are thrown together, low-bid/low-quality consumable parts are used…junk-junk-junk, no matter how fancy the "lifetime warranty" (i.e., you get to spend your lifetime replacing failed parts under warranty.


There is no good reason to degrade your car with this trash. Nor do you need to overspend for a PowerMaster or similarly promotionally-enhanced (hyped) alternator. You can get a new Chrysler alternator in any of several amperage ratings from Old Car Parts Northwest.

Holy crap, I had no idea a place like that existed around here. I think I'll go to him for a new Chrysler alternator.

 

[Slantsixdan]

It's an amazing place, truly. Guy's name is Ray. Tell him Dan Stern sent you (then duck when he starts throwing rotten tomatoes!)

 

[Secret Chimp]

He doesn't stock wheels, does he? Stock steelies are impossible to find in yards around here and Craigslisters only seem to be selling A-body small bolt patterns and rally wheels. Two of my wheels are slightly warped and I've just been running them on the back axle to keep them from wiggling my nice new front end parts.

 

[Slantsixdan]

Don't think he has any wheels, no.

 

[Secret Chimp]

Worth a try I guess. I wish I could just wander around there... then again I'd probably leave without a penny to my name.

 

[Slantsixdan]

There certainly is that danger!