Alternator repair question

[xlr8nflorida]

I have a replacement acdelco alternator in my lt-5.
The original alternator is in box and needs rebuilding.
A local shop said they want 85 bucks unless it's all torn up and it has 90 day warranty.

Rebuilt means various different things. To several it means just fixing broken stuff and leaving the rest if it that is functioning.

I would think I would like the whole thing rebuilt as to prevent future issues.

Thoughts and prices paid and services rendered for those who have had their alternators replaced??? Thanks!

[VetteMed]

Jim, I paid $90 locally to have my alternator "rebuilt", which included new bearings, but I'm honestly not sure about what else was replaced. I got a year warranty on it too. SO it sounds like you're in the ballpark.

[xlr8nflorida]

Jim, I paid $90 locally to have my alternator "rebuilt", which included new bearings, but I'm honestly not sure about what else was replaced. I got a year warranty on it too. SO it sounds like you're in the ballpark.

Thanks, they want $85 to rebuild with new brushes and bearings - 3 month warranty

They he said it was like $150 if I wanted it shined up. I asked him the difference as that is almost double the price and he said he makes it look "pretty"

It isn't ugly now and its just going under the plenum. I mean what would be the incentive to pay $150?

Maybe it would help if I knew the parts of an alternator.

If I'm getting new bearings and brushings is that good or do I need to be getting other parts in the rebuild??

[jrd1990zr1]

Jim,

Typically all that goes bad is the front bearing. A friend of mine put new bearings in mine and freshened up the case last year when I pulled my plenum. The bearings were less than $20 if I remember correctly. At 50K miles the brushes were still good.

If you have a press it is not a difficult job. Have to be careful not to crack the case and "clock" it properly.

Unless you are having it NCRS judged in the very near future I don't think you would need to "pretty it up"

That said about $20 for the parts and an hour of labor, $85 to $90 seems in line.

:cheers:

[xlr8nflorida]

Mine detonated at about 14,000 miles.

So a new bearing and I should be good to go?

Thanks for everyone's help.

[tomtom72]

:o not to be spending other people's money, but when I replace mine when I do my next plenum pull ( hopefully before it breaks & leaves me on the side of the road ) I'm buying one of these.

http://www.alternatorparts.com./CS-144_Special_offer.htm

pricey, I know but generally you get what you pay for.

:cheers:

[xlr8nflorida]

:o not to be spending other people's money, but when I replace mine when I do my next plenum pull ( hopefully before it breaks & leaves me on the side of the road ) I'm buying one of these.

http://www.alternatorparts.com./CS-144_Special_offer.htm

pricey, I know but generally you get what you pay for.

:cheers:

Nice, which model you getting?

[pantera1683]

:o not to be spending other people's money, but when I replace mine when I do my next plenum pull ( hopefully before it breaks & leaves me on the side of the road ) I'm buying one of these.

http://www.alternatorparts.com./CS-144_Special_offer.htm

pricey, I know but generally you get what you pay for.

:cheers:

Just be aware those are not "direct fit." They are like the LT1/LT4 alternators so some minor mods will be necessay to make it work on your Z.

[xlr8nflorida]

Just be aware those are not "direct fit." They are like the LT1/LT4 alternators so some minor mods will be necessay to make it work on your Z.

I think I'm going rebuild mine for 85 bucks. It only had 14000 miles when it crapped out.

[tomtom72]

:o I wasn't aware that they were not direct fit. I ran across this link someplace and kept it. I was going to call them to get the skinny. They also sell everything you need to rebuild your own, see the parts section from the home page. I was thinking that I would go that route if the parts prices were right. Rebuilding these & our starters isn't that hard.

If they had one that would fit without surgery I was just going to get the 140 amp version. I don't have any electrical load that didn't come with the car.

:cheers:
Tom

[FU]

Unless there is a huge stereo (read getto blaster Keith) in the car a larger out put alt. is not needed. In other word's a high out put alt. is a waste of money. A stock alt. rebuilt correctly is fine.

[pantera1683]

:o I wasn't aware that they were not direct fit. I ran across this link someplace and kept it. I was going to call them to get the skinny. They also sell everything you need to rebuild your own, see the parts section from the home page. I was thinking that I would go that route if the parts prices were right. Rebuilding these & our starters isn't that hard.

If they had one that would fit without surgery I was just going to get the 140 amp version. I don't have any electrical load that didn't come with the car.

:cheers:
Tom

I'm currently swapping my alternator to the LT1/4 style and as far as I can tell there isn't that much that needs to be done. I will have it done this weekend since that is the only time I have to work on it.

Others who have done it before can probably chime in but as far as I can tell the LT1/4 case is slightly larger than the LT5 alternator, the pulleys are different diameter, the mounting hole in the back is in a different location, one of the mounting hole on the front is smaller.

All that needs to be done for the swap is:

1. swap pulleys
2. Slightly drill open the smaller of the two front mounting holes.
3. Relocate mounting hole on back by drilling and tapping the small hole between the stud for the 12v cable and the provided mounting hole. See picture

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff393/pantera1683/CS1443-1-1.jpg

[BOB HDZ]

i used this one on my lt1 has a bigger bearings and fins for heat!http://store.alternatorparts.com/search.aspx?find=D1-7130SE&log=false&category=1947

[Z51JEFF]

Thanks, they want $85 to rebuild with new brushes and bearings - 3 month warranty

They he said it was like $150 if I wanted it shined up.

When I had mine apart I threw it in a bead blast cabinet and hit it with some walnut shells.A rebuild should include the most important part,voltage regulator.This is a stretch but send it to me and Ill blast the cases and replace any worn parts,have it bench tested and send it back.You pay only shipping You need to break loose all 4 bolts first,dont want to fight a broken bolt.Theres no reason why you cant rebuild this yourself,theres really nothing to it.The brushes has a provision to hold the brushes in place during installation.