So how bad of an idea would a Duralast alternator be? Options

[Tdskip]

Under $50 with a core returned....if the darn thing works it's awfully cost effective.

Autozone Alternator

[JOEPROPER]

If you enjoy changing alternators, then it's a good idea. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Tdskip]

Update - when you try to actually pay at Autozone it comes up "out of stock".

So I tried Advanced Auto parts, that will let you order but the 1-3 day delivery then becomes shipping in " 37-39 business days". Anyone want odds on if it ever shows up?

I'm half tempted to try it just to see what happens...

@JoeProper - good morning.

When I've ordered similar rebuilt units in the past, albeit for other cars, I've gotten OEM units back. Duralast is generally the store brand but I've had Bosch and other OEM units actually show up in the packaging.

Anyone have experience with this sort of FLAPS as to what actually shows up?

[JOEPROPER]

As a rule, we don't buy anything from Autozone except car wash soap, air fresheners etc...
Don't like doing it twice if I can help it.

[914Sixer]

Rockauto,, $122 Bosch 75ALX . $75 Core, in stock so it says.

[Tdskip]

I would prefer not to do it twice, or three times as well. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that the suppliers for all these guys are probably the same...

[Superhawk996]

Like anything 50 years old, you're counting on a rebuidler to to the job right.

The problem everywhere is quality control. Does Bosch even rebuild these directly anymore or is it all out of Mexico, China or India even if it has Bosch's name on it? Who knows.

You might try to find a local motor / alternator rewinder but there is still the issue of bearings, diodes, brushes, etc. It is rarely the windings that go bad. External regulators don't help either since a bad regulator can take down an alternator. At least with a decent local guy you can talk face to face.

@bbrock has rebuilt his own -- see his thread. It wasn't easy.

[mepstein]

We found a local rebuilder and have taken dozens of alternators and starters to them. They test and replace parts as needed. Usually $75-125 with a one to two day turnaround. It cost less to have them rebuilt initially than to pay the labor to pull one to replace. Rebuilding also insures that it fits perfectly compared to a replacement.

[Tdskip]

Good discussion gentlemen.

[Blue6]

Keith,
If you are shopping, SPU alternators and starters in Santa Fe Springs. It’s been a couple of years, but they always took good care of our race team. Quality rebuilds and fair prices...

[gandalf_025]

My wife’s 2015 Honda needed a starter.
Dealership quoted 900.00 for one.
Checked with NAPA and they had a rebuilt
for 350.00... Brought the car to a shop and
they got the one from NAPA...
It came in a box saying it was rebuilt by Honda
and had a 1 Year warranty..
350 beats 900 by a lot...
Been working fine...

[rgalla9146]

I've had great luck with a local rebuilder whose been around forever.
Don at Rayelco, Lodi, NJ RIP Family carries on. Tradition.

[DRPHIL914]

My wife’s 2015 Honda needed a starter.
Dealership quoted 900.00 for one.
Checked with NAPA and they had a rebuilt
for 350.00... Brought the car to a shop and
they got the one from NAPA...
It came in a box saying it was rebuilt by Honda
and had a 1 Year warranty..
350 beats 900 by a lot...
Been working fine...

--that kind of crap mark up on parts and service is why I amost never use a dealership/stealership for anything anymore. if you have to have it done by someone else find a local independent place you can trust but even then I always want to see the parts that were removed- with my alternator for my 914 I got a bosch unit 75 amp from an ebay seller I have used before. it came in bosch box and labeled. so far so good. -

joe, as far as Autozone is concerned I disagree with you and I have had better luck with them than the dealers on some stuff. much of the stuff that is made for them and labeled under Duralast is manufactured by the OEM manufacture/supplier. for example, my Lincoln navigator made it 2 years with OEM motorcraft coils, 2 failed with int a month of each other and out of warranty so I went with duralast and boght the whole set of 8 for $200 - lifetime warranty, if one goes bad they replace the whole batch! also just replaced the rear struts and got them from Autozone and they are lifetime as well. not sure if I will keep the truck for ever but just turned over 220,000 miles and did brakes tires struts etc all this year so she will be staying in the family for a while. back on track , I would do what Mark said and look local first. but screw the stealer-dealer, local Ford dealer wanted $400 for install and programing for the suspension control module and $250 for the part LOL! - freaking liars, there is no programing and the "installation" was unplug old one, plug in new one(paid $150 for new one) and one screw that holds it to the bracket up uder dash, took all of 5 minutes. plug and play no issue since. similar issue at a Jag dealer -- rant over....

let us know how the duralast one works and what it is if you get it, I am interested to know.

[Tdskip]

Good morning, I hope everybody had a good weekend. In the name of science I have ordered the one from Advanced Auto and will let you know how it looks because I have a couple engines out of the cars that I can probably test fire and check charging pretty easily.

The iffy one on handy is going to a local shop today (hopefully).

[bdstone914]

@Tdskip
' date='Dec 16 2019, 08:06 AM' post='2770137']
Good morning, I hope everybody had a good weekend. In the name of science I have ordered the one from Advanced Auto and will let you know how it looks because I have a couple engines out of the cars that I can probably test fire and check charging pretty easily.

The iffy one on handy is going to a local shop today (hopefully).
[/quote]

Carefully check the positive terminal stud lenght. Most rebuilders do sloppy work. It the stub is too long it arcs to the cover plate and you have fireworks.
I use a local shop with 25 years of experience. He charges $95 to rebuild them. I have one on the shelf. If you change your mind I can drop off a core and get a quality rebuild for you.
Bruce

[TheCabinetmaker]

Plus 1 on local rebuilder. Only way to go.

[Tdskip]

Thanks guys.

@bdstone914 - good to know that is an important consideration.

I found a shop in Santa Ana that looks like can get this taken care of, I will follow up and let people know because it would be good to have an option, in addition to your guy Bruce, for people in OC.

Have a good Monday guys !

[bdstone914]

Thanks guys.

@bdstone914 - good to know that is an important consideration.

I found a shop in Santa Ana that looks like can get this taken care of, I will follow up and let people know because it would be good to have an option, in addition to your guy Bruce, for people in OC.

Have a good Monday guys !

Ask the shop it test the alternator before tearing it down.
It is best to have your shop rebuild yours.
Bruce

[malcolm2]

It has been a long time. But I remember buying an AZ alt. Never installed it and returned it. The cooling tins and other things, like maybe the electrical connection (just can't remember for sure) just don't fit. I think the elec post actually hit the tin. The edges of the back of the alt are not the same as OEM, so the tin did not seal up.

Best I can remember. So I went with rebuilt. Gathered up a few so called dead ones when possible and took them to my rebuild guy. Now I have a few spares that have been re-built.

[RARE 6]

Have never used Autozone parts on the -6 but after decades of slapping 'em on various Fords/GM products/Jeeps etc. couldn't be happier. As noted, many come from OEM suppliers. When I sold my '93 Blazer with over 300k on the clock, the AutoZone alternator only had 183,000 miles on it! Never a question re: replacements on warranty. In the rare instances that's been necessary I just put in on the counter and they pulled out a new one.