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Old May 10, 2001 | 12:36 PM
  #1  
88Roc350TPI's Avatar
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From: Potsdam, NY, USA
Alternators

This is not my week!! First off, a F*cking FORD sliced the end of my finger off (only a tiny bit but whoa its painful. Then....Last nite went with a friend so he could buy a rice burner (acura integra) and my alternator crapped out AGAIN (just changed it saturday----and 2 weeks previous to that). Keep in mind...these are just Advance Auto Parts remans (lifetime ones) and I know they are junk cuz i used to work there.....BUT 4 days??????? If I pull strings and get em to give me an AC Delco reman instead am I gonna have any better luck??? Why do I keep killing these alts? this is the 3rd one in the past month. ANy help appreciated thanx
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Old May 10, 2001 | 12:50 PM
  #2  
86TransAmTPI's Avatar
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From: Blackwood,NJ USA
I honestly dont think its your fault you keep killing your alternator,I think the Advance Auto Parts alternators are cr@p because from what i hear many people have the same problem with their alternators.Id go with the AC Delco,or something other than the brand you are going with.


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http://hometown.aol.com/italianknight178/index.html
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Old May 10, 2001 | 02:19 PM
  #3  
Z28DJP1987's Avatar
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From: Ohio, USA
How do you remanufacture a alternator? Well you disassembly all brands and put the so called good parts in various containers and have someone reassembly one from these parts
and call it remanufactured. Good Luck. Get a new A/C Delco .
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Old May 10, 2001 | 05:11 PM
  #4  
Pukka's Avatar
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From: Where the chicks absolutely LOVE the V-8 rumble!
Car: 92 RS - Fully Restored w/Custom Int
Engine: LO3 with some mods
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond
For what its worth, I have an alternator from one of those franchise auto parts stores. Its been running fine for over six months, even with the stereo in my sig.

If you ask for a price, make sure you ask for the price of a new one since rebuilt ones cost alot less. And we should all know rebuilt ones are crap

------------------
92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi
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Old May 10, 2001 | 09:05 PM
  #5  
88Roc350TPI's Avatar
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From: Potsdam, NY, USA
Advance Auto doesnt offer a NEW alternator. The only NEW one you can get is from the dealer to stay with a Delco alt. The one I had was a premium remanufactured (limited lefetime replacement)....They also offer a standard remanufactured with a 1 year warranty and you can buck up and get the AC Delco Reman which is also lifetime. If the AC delco that is listed for your car is a regular stock item in the store, then the premium reman only gets a 2yr replacement. Luckily the one for my car is not... so we will see how long todays alt lasts.. thanx for your help
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Old May 11, 2001 | 08:43 AM
  #6  
Stuart Moss's Avatar
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From: Warrenton, VA U.S.A.
Something to consider is whether the battery is charged.

If the alternator is tasked to charge a dead battery, it will probably overheat due to the high output required of it for an extended time (>20 minutes).

If you had to replace the alternator, then I would suspect that the battery was very low, or even bad (possibly causing the alternator to fail in the first place). If you didn't charge it (from a charger, not the alternator), that may be the answer for the cycle of alternator replacements.

Stock CS-130 alternators (what a 3rd gen has) are notorious for failing due to overheating, usually damaging the rectifier.

Summit and J.C. Whitney both sell a kit for ~$50 which replaces the rear case to accept a larger rear bearing as well having a small heatsink on the rear to help cool the rectifier. I have this upgrade on my stock Delco alternator and have not had any problems, although I'm careful to keep it from overheating (not demanding too much current for too long a period of time).

FYI, the kit manufacturer still recommends that you do not operate the alternator under heavy loads for >15 minutes because overheating can still occur. Specifically, they recommend that dead or very low batteries not be charged with the alternator.

[This message has been edited by Stuart Moss (edited May 11, 2001).]
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Old May 11, 2001 | 08:43 AM
  #7  
purpleworm's Avatar
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From: N.B. Canada
I just but a rebuild kit in and I have run it for 1 and 1/2 yrs with no prob. It is easier to rebuild one and get it done right than mess with what u are doing!
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Old May 11, 2001 | 12:52 PM
  #8  
82camaro's Avatar
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From: NE
Car: 82 camaro SC
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Get the parts and rebuild it yourself, or have a friend do it. Then fully charge the battery with a battery charger and test it. Bad batterys can kill alternators.

------------------
82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro
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