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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Alternator replacement
Posted by: 914Bryan Sep 17 2012, 09:01 PM
Grrrr....Just got an estimate to replace my alternator with a rebuilt Bosch unit, $577 installed and complete....Don't have time to fix it myself, and really don't know what's involved. I thought it sounded steep, but i could be way off base. Sound reasonable? Opinions from the Captin?
Posted by: Nürburg Nomad Sep 17 2012, 09:37 PM
You tell me?: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1970/porsche/914/engine_electrical/alternator.html
Posted by: Nürburg Nomad Sep 17 2012, 09:51 PM
A good way to save 50%, spend $200 on a super beefy aftermarket alternator and $100 on a awesome 914 World member grill out to get it done in one evening in your driveway with fellow Teeners! 
Posted by: 914Bryan Sep 17 2012, 10:00 PM
Exactly.. Figure a shop has to add 30% for parts so that puts the alternator you found at about 110. So that means a little over 450 to change it out? How difficult is it to check the alternator in the first place to see if it needs replacing? Considering that they had to run a diagnostic in the first place. I didn't ask shop rates, but lets say at 150 an hour, that means it would take three hours to do the job. Am I missing something here?
Posted by: Nürburg Nomad Sep 17 2012, 10:19 PM
Exactly.. Figure a shop has to add 30% for parts so that puts the alternator you found at about 110. So that means a little over 450 to change it out? How difficult is it to check the alternator in the first place to see if it needs replacing? Considering that they had to run a diagnostic in the first place. I didn't ask shop rates, but lets say at 150 an hour, that means it would take three hours to do the job. Am I missing something here?
For me the quote they gave you is unreasonable but not unrealistic or surprising... consider "retail" is $240+ for example, if they charge that plus whatever labor, it could quickly be the $550-600 you were quoted. Depending on the shop, given lack of knowledge and amount of time it will take to perform work on vintage cars seeing high prices is par for the course, hence classic car ownership being so much more affordable busting your own knuckles. Time to grab the wrenches?!
Posted by: Thestigz06 Sep 17 2012, 10:19 PM
Very timely bryan!
I just replaced mine about a month ago. Its not horrible and could be avoided as well. Before you do anything,check all your grounds and make sure the connections are solid and also check the voltage regulator on the relay board to make sure its not those. If both are fine then yes, your alt is on its way out.
Posted by: Dave_Darling Sep 17 2012, 10:21 PM
You need to remove the left-side heater ducting, the left-front engine tin (those screws can be a pain in the tight space under there!), and the pinch bolt and pivot bolt.
It shouldn't take a whole afternoon, unless you work very slowly indeed or do it wrong. The first three times. (D'OH! Not that I'm bitter.)
You need access from the bottom and from the top. I put the car up on jack stands (of course!) and used a step-stool to get into the engine bay from the top side. I got pretty good at it...
--DD
Posted by: Nürburg Nomad Sep 17 2012, 10:24 PM
Very timely bryan!
I just replaced mine about a month ago. Its not horrible and could be avoided as well. Before you do anything,check all your grounds and make sure the connections are solid and also check the voltage regulator on the relay board to make sure its not those. If both are fine then yes, your alt is on its way out.
I agree ^^^, I almost forgot, I thought my alternator was shot when I first acquired my 914, turned out it was the sketchy main ground, -$20 and a few minutes later it was resolved.
Posted by: euro911 Sep 18 2012, 12:29 AM
As long as one guy has done it before, two guys can change it out in an hour or so, depending on how much BS-ing you do while doing it 
The first one I did, I got everything unbolted and ready to come out and had a neighbor (with no 914 knowledge) come by to assist from top-side while I was under the car.
A long 3/8" socket extension comes in handy for getting at the pivot bolt's nut from the back side.
Posted by: shelby/914 Sep 18 2012, 09:29 AM
If you are doing it by yourself, tie it off through one of the bolt holes to something above. Then when you are under the car your not trying to hold the unit up with one hand while attaching wiring and lining up the bolts with the other. A friend would make it easy.
Dan
Posted by: euro911 Sep 18 2012, 09:57 AM
Here ya go - found the tech article
http://www.914world.com/specs/alternator_replacement.php
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Sep 18 2012, 10:12 AM
During the Atomic Ramble in Albequerque I watched Mark b do it in the parking lot. Kind of a pain but not that hard.
Posted by: SLITS Sep 18 2012, 10:21 AM
Charge your battery fully.
Purchase and bring the alternator with you.
Drive the car to Riverside on a Sunday to Slits Asshole Garage & Polygamy Learning Center.
I will change it for you for the cost of a 12 pack of Hanger 24 Amarillo Ale, a 750 ml bottle Tanquery Gin, 1 L of Tonic Water , a pack of Johnsonville Brats and buns.
But, before you purchase the alternator, get a VOM (volt ohm meter). Check the battery voltage (12.5 VDC hopefully). Start the car, check lead to battery with VOM again. If it shows 13.5 VDC or better, the alternator is fine.
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Sep 18 2012, 10:24 AM
Charge your battery fully.
Purchase and bring the alternator with you.
Drive the car to Riverside on a Sunday to Slits Asshole Garage & Polygamy Learning Center.
I will change it for you for the cost of a 12 pack of Hanger 24 Amarillo Ale, a 750 ml bottle Tanquery Gin, 1 L of Tonic Water , a pack of Johnsonville Brats and buns.
But, before you purchase the alternator, get a VOM (volt ohm meter). Check the battery voltage (12.5 VDC hopefully). Start the car, check lead to battery with VOM again. If it shows 13.5 VDC or better, the alternator is fine.
Your labor charges are OUTRAGEOUS!!
Posted by: Drums66 Sep 18 2012, 11:04 AM
Charge your battery fully.
Purchase and bring the alternator with you.
Drive the car to Riverside on a Sunday to Slits Asshole Garage & Polygamy Learning Center.
I will change it for you for the cost of a 12 pack of Hanger 24 Amarillo Ale, a 750 ml bottle Tanquery Gin, 1 L of Tonic Water , a pack of Johnsonville Brats and buns.
But, before you purchase the alternator, get a VOM (volt ohm meter). Check the battery voltage (12.5 VDC hopefully). Start the car, check lead to battery with VOM again. If it shows 13.5 VDC or better, the alternator is fine.
Your labor charges are OUTRAGEOUS!!
Hey! the Tanquery....Brats & Lucy's buns are well
worth it!
Posted by: turk22 Sep 18 2012, 07:04 PM
Charge your battery fully.
Purchase and bring the alternator with you.
Drive the car to Riverside on a Sunday to Slits Asshole Garage & Polygamy Learning Center.
I will change it for you for the cost of a 12 pack of Hanger 24 Amarillo Ale, a 750 ml bottle Tanquery Gin, 1 L of Tonic Water , a pack of Johnsonville Brats and buns.
But, before you purchase the alternator, get a VOM (volt ohm meter). Check the battery voltage (12.5 VDC hopefully). Start the car, check lead to battery with VOM again. If it shows 13.5 VDC or better, the alternator is fine.
Gin and Brats? I thought it was Gin and juice...
wish I lived in SoCal
Posted by: 914Bryan Sep 18 2012, 10:55 PM
Charge your battery fully.
Purchase and bring the alternator with you.
Drive the car to Riverside on a Sunday to Slits Asshole Garage & Polygamy Learning Center.
I will change it for you for the cost of a 12 pack of Hanger 24 Amarillo Ale, a 750 ml bottle Tanquery Gin, 1 L of Tonic Water , a pack of Johnsonville Brats and buns.
But, before you purchase the alternator, get a VOM (volt ohm meter). Check the battery voltage (12.5 VDC hopefully). Start the car, check lead to battery with VOM again. If it shows 13.5 VDC or better, the alternator is fine.
Wow! For an offer like that, I will definitely take you up on it. This Sunday won't work but the Sunday after will. I will give you a call. Gotta bring the wife along. Even though she has a big rack, she won't get in the way. Thanks!
Posted by: Tom Sep 19 2012, 02:58 AM
Just do not pay Slits before the work is done. Well, maybe the brats as partial payment. Keep the beer and liquor back or ---- , well, you know.
Hi Slits 
Tom
Posted by: 76-914 Sep 19 2012, 08:59 AM
During the Atomic Ramble in Albequerque I watched Mark b do it in the parking lot. Kind of a pain but not that hard.
I watched him change Linda's alternator at RRC 2010 in about an hour. I think he has done this once or twice.
Posted by: SLITS Sep 19 2012, 09:06 AM
Charge your battery fully.
Purchase and bring the alternator with you.
Drive the car to Riverside on a Sunday to Slits Asshole Garage & Polygamy Learning Center.
I will change it for you for the cost of a 12 pack of Hanger 24 Amarillo Ale, a 750 ml bottle Tanquery Gin, 1 L of Tonic Water , a pack of Johnsonville Brats and buns.
But, before you purchase the alternator, get a VOM (volt ohm meter). Check the battery voltage (12.5 VDC hopefully). Start the car, check lead to battery with VOM again. If it shows 13.5 VDC or better, the alternator is fine.
Wow! For an offer like that, I will definitely take you up on it. This Sunday won't work but the Sunday after will. I will give you a call. Gotta bring the wife along. Even though she has a big rack, she won't get in the way. Thanks!
Not a problem ... I'll make sure the floors are swept. On Sundays, I am generally here at 9:00 AM. It can be done on a Saturday, but not the upcoming one as I am ridding myself of electronic devices at a local recycling event.
Posted by: jim_hoyland Sep 19 2012, 09:22 AM
During the Atomic Ramble in Albequerque I watched Mark b do it in the parking lot. Kind of a pain but not that hard.
Yup. Mark b did the whole R/R alone on the ground in about 1 hour.
Posted by: Steve73 Nov 26 2013, 08:41 PM
What specifications should I be looking for in a new alternator. Were should I buy one with those specs?
What about the cooling connections that were on the original units?
What about Alternators from sources like advance auto parts, the "offer" them but the look different than the two I have already. The connections on the back are not the same for example...
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subcategory_alternators_15587?isAllVehicle=false&showTitle=&vehicleIdFromReq=19192&vehicleIdSearch=19192
Posted by: Steve73 Dec 20 2013, 10:02 PM
Where do you all buy your Alternators? AA, Pelican Parts, somewhere else? I saw a tempting one at Advanced Auto for $60. But knowing how hard it is to replace this when the engine is in I don't want to mess around, and I want one that charges great!
Input is appreciated.
What specifications should I be looking for in a new alternator. Were should I buy one with those specs?
What about the cooling connections that were on the original units?
What about Alternators from sources like advance auto parts, the "offer" them but the look different than the two I have already. The connections on the back are not the same for example...
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subcategory_alternators_15587?isAllVehicle=false&showTitle=&vehicleIdFromReq=19192&vehicleIdSearch=19192
Posted by: euro911 Dec 20 2013, 11:59 PM
Looks like Advance only has a 90 day warranty 
Do you have an AutoZone near you? $50 with a LIFETIME warranty 
... http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1974-Porsche-914/Alternator/_/N-ivt2mZ93xme?filterByKeyWord=alternator&fromString=search
Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 21 2013, 09:01 AM
long ago, pre world, there was an issue with replacement alts and the rear cover that came on them. switching the rear plate required some 'dimpling' out, as the longer posts on the rear made contact and blew up the diodes.
k
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