Alternators

[MSL]

Ok i have had it with my alternator.lol im going on my third one. well come to find out the ones they where selling me are remans that the manager said are basiclly junk so know im going to upgrade to the new lifetime warranty one lets hope this one works. im glad its easy to change them out.

[Mike76251]

I know what you mean MSL,

One thing I always do is ask "where was it remanufacted".
If the answer is Mexico I go elsewhere.
If it was done in Atlanta then go for it as those are good ones.
Though they cost more, I always go for a lifetime warranty on them.

The biggest problem with them is the diodes.
The cheap alternators have very weak ones and the first or second surge that hits it they go.

[MSL]

I didnt ask where it was made or rebuilt i guess i should but ya my first alternator i got reman lasted 3 weeks second one i am taking back now only lasted a week. so when i go in i will ask where it was made. and im just going to get the better alternator hoping they have a good one or im going to go somewhere else.

[79BIG10]

I bought my latest one from a local shop. Txstruck got both of his (diesel) for his truck from him and told me about him. I went and got a 120amp chrome one wire for $118. He builds them there at the shop and gurantees his work. While I was there a Napa driver lady came in to get an alternator from him for their store. If Napa uses him for a lifetime warranty alternator I know I'm in the right spot.

[LOHRTBT]

Just make sure your not overtightening your belts....this can wear out an alt also.

[PHOENIX]

I have a 94amp Checker lifetime alternator that has worked flawless so far. Its around $80. I just upgraded from my original and only had to pay like $20.

[MSL]

Its not the belt im leaving enough slack. I took the alternator back and the parts store wont upgrade for me and wont return my money now and they say my alternator is fine. and that its my truck. funny how its always the truck when you can here the alternator making noises. Shucks sucks there customer service is terrible.

[78SilveradoSWB]

Like what Mike always sez..."you get what you pay for" .

[swervin ervin]

Originally posted by 78SilveradoSWB
Like what Mike always sez..."you get what you pay for" .

Thanks Mitch. Couldn't have said it better myself.


On another note, I've got a like new AC Delco alternator I'm selling. It's a 78 amp I bought from my local Chevy dealer. Best I remember it cost me around $115.00. I'll take $60.00 for it. Hell of a deal if you ask me.

http://www.73-87.com/misc/forsale.htm

[MSL]

Ya i guess you do get what you pay for but it has a warranty and they wont honor it and upgrade to the better alternator.

[78SilveradoSWB]

Originally posted by MSL
Ya i guess you do get what you pay for but it has a warranty and they wont honor it and upgrade to the better alternator.

Are you dealing with the store manager or just a counter person? I guess you can go up the food chain to complain at the district or national level of Shucks. They don't like complaints like that. Get the alternator evaluated by someone else without a vested interest in the product, someone independant from this situation, then give the findings to Shucks headquarters.

[MSL]

You know what i think i will do that. thanks for the advice.

[PHOENIX]

Man you guys have bad luck with Checker and AZ. I rarely have problems with them or their parts.
I sometimes take in parts for exchange if Im unhappy with how they look
They never give me a problem and rarely ever test the parts I bring in. I just walk in and tell them what the problem is like I already know without doubt and they dont even bother to test. When I brought the alternator in I told them it wasnt charging enough at idle, I had it tested previously I told them. Then we he was checking it in the computer I asked about a higher output, he told me the difference and I paid it. No problem.

I guess Im glad I get lucky!
Keep your receipts though. Thats where they tried to screw me onetime on a lifetime clutch. I keep all my receipts in an envelope now.

[old Rusty C10]

yeah id keep going back and busting chops up and down the food chain in the store and management offices. Hell if ya go in there enough show up in a shirt that says SHUCKS SUCKS lol usuall if youe a pain in the ass they will eventually relent and oh yeah dont buy the fuel pump there go to a real auto parts store!!!

[MSL]

Ya im going to take it and have it tested and get a paper to say that the alternator sucks. and then im going to stick the thing up where the sun dont shine.lol I will make sure not to buy a fuel pump from them.

[PHOENIX]

Never had problem with fuel pump either
Had it for about 2 years now.

[rockman20]

One thing on the alternators if you are burning through a lot of them. From the sounds of it, the alt still works fine. As far as putting out amperage and keeping the battery charged. It sounds like they get noisy though.

Belt tightness was suggested, but also check the alignment. Lay a straightedge along the pullies to make sure that they all line up right. If the alt. sticks too far in or out, it causes excess stress on the bearings and will eat them up in time.

Just another suggestion!