[Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months....
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Boston, MA
[Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months....
:D
Yup, 3 months and 1 week. So another trip to Pepboys with receipt in hand and I now have my 5 alternator in almost 3 years of ownership. :)
I had recently tested my battery and found that it's 650 CCA rating was down to 450 CCA. So while I was there I picked up an Optima Redtop battery for $107.
Of course installing that couldn't of gone easy either. Whoever last installed the bolt on my battery holddown did it without any antiseeze and the thing was rusted into place. I ended up breaking the bolt and just used my own bolt/nut/washer. For anyone wonder the bolt is a metric 8x.125 thread. :)
So we're back in business.
Yup, 3 months and 1 week. So another trip to Pepboys with receipt in hand and I now have my 5 alternator in almost 3 years of ownership. :)
I had recently tested my battery and found that it's 650 CCA rating was down to 450 CCA. So while I was there I picked up an Optima Redtop battery for $107.
Of course installing that couldn't of gone easy either. Whoever last installed the bolt on my battery holddown did it without any antiseeze and the thing was rusted into place. I ended up breaking the bolt and just used my own bolt/nut/washer. For anyone wonder the bolt is a metric 8x.125 thread. :)
So we're back in business.
Pro
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From: Eagle IDAHO
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Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
Hey Scorp, I don't intend to promote them as a parts source, but in an emergency I replaced the big 120 amp alt in my 85 with one from VIP Auto for real cheap. That was three years ago. I rebuilt the big ol original alt, but have yet had to install it just waiting for VIP's cheapie to go bad.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,512
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From: Windermere FL
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
Scorp,
When you get sick of excerising your life time warranty installing those Pep Boys for the rest of your life, get a alternator from http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/
I got sick of Pep Boys alternators after about the 5th one. Haven't had to replace it since installing the PowerMaster :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
[Modified by Flame Red, 7:49 PM 2/2/2002]
When you get sick of excerising your life time warranty installing those Pep Boys for the rest of your life, get a alternator from http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/
I got sick of Pep Boys alternators after about the 5th one. Haven't had to replace it since installing the PowerMaster :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
[Modified by Flame Red, 7:49 PM 2/2/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
Jeeez...it affects just about every one of us that has a C4.I lost track how many I replaced the last 6 years.
Glad to hear you got a replacement asap.
It would seem any long trips across states,you'd need to have a spare alternator and belt in the trunk just to be safe.
Glad to hear you got a replacement asap.
It would seem any long trips across states,you'd need to have a spare alternator and belt in the trunk just to be safe.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
Bet your CCA was down due to depth of charge? Only way to test a battery for reserve is following a L-O-N-G charge, and still must be compensated for temp! Still if 4 or 5 years old, probably about right.
Sound like a good price on the Optima, still can't bring myself to put one in the car. May put two in the boat.
Good luck with the Pep-Boys! I don't have the guts, afraid I'll loose the alt on a 2 hour drive with only 1 hour of battery to back it up. I've got my old one hand rebuilt locally running, and one of those new Ice units in reserve in the garage! Really believe in the local rebuild option, of course no lifetime on it.
Good Luck,
Pete
Sound like a good price on the Optima, still can't bring myself to put one in the car. May put two in the boat.
Good luck with the Pep-Boys! I don't have the guts, afraid I'll loose the alt on a 2 hour drive with only 1 hour of battery to back it up. I've got my old one hand rebuilt locally running, and one of those new Ice units in reserve in the garage! Really believe in the local rebuild option, of course no lifetime on it.
Good Luck,
Pete
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From: Boston, MA
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (PeteL)
Well I have been looking at the optimas for a while. I couldn't bring myself to spend the extra $70 on a yellowtop, so this was fine. :) It should give me enough reserve incase the alternator fails again to get me somewhere good. It has a 90 minute reserve on it. Plus I like the non-spillable part.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 191
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From: Commerce Twp. Michigan
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
I carried an extra and used it on every One Lap I competed in until this old wrench at the Carolina Rod Shop in Greenville SC. noticed that the alternator was ever so slightly out of alignment. We trued it up square to the front of the motor and haven't had a problem since. I'm not negating the fact that those alternators are junk, but alignment seems to prolong the life.
Cheers,
John
Cheers,
John
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Boston, MA
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (mac383)
I carried an extra and used it on every One Lap I competed in until this old wrench at the Carolina Rod Shop in Greenville SC. noticed that the alternator was ever so slightly out of alignment. We trued it up square to the front of the motor and haven't had a problem since. I'm not negating the fact that those alternators are junk, but alignment seems to prolong the life.
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
I had the same exact problem with my prelude.... bought a beck arnley reman, and had it for 3 months when the bearing went out... replaced... had THAT one for about 6 months when a diode failed....
unfortunetly, I was in Fla at the time, and did'nt wanna drive 100 miles to the nearest Beck dealer to get a part under warrentee... so I went to a local import auto salvage. got one for 70.00. it was in the car when I sold it a year and a half later!!!! I did get a replacement... gave that to the kid who bought the 'lude...
unfortunetly, I was in Fla at the time, and did'nt wanna drive 100 miles to the nearest Beck dealer to get a part under warrentee... so I went to a local import auto salvage. got one for 70.00. it was in the car when I sold it a year and a half later!!!! I did get a replacement... gave that to the kid who bought the 'lude...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Honolulu HI
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
Scorp,
I use to have the same problem but since I installed a different (Ed Wright) chip to turn on my fans sooner and a 160' therm. I haven's had to replace one in three years. I think the under hood temperature plays into the formula here too. I will add that it is hot here year around also, not seasonal.
Aloha,
Larry
I use to have the same problem but since I installed a different (Ed Wright) chip to turn on my fans sooner and a 160' therm. I haven's had to replace one in three years. I think the under hood temperature plays into the formula here too. I will add that it is hot here year around also, not seasonal.
Aloha,
Larry
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From: Boston, MA
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (Larry Mackey)
I use to have the same problem but since I installed a different (Ed Wright) chip to turn on my fans sooner and a 160' therm. I haven's had to replace one in three years. I think the under hood temperature plays into the formula here too. I will add that it is hot here year around also, not seasonal.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
I know that some mechanic will try to damage the cores... costs the rebuilders a bundle... real jerks... even worse when the rebuilders don't see the problem!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (bogus)
Scorp,
I had really good luck once I switched from Pep Boys reman. stuff to NAPA reman stuff. It costs a bit more, but does seem to be of better quality. Its not just vettes that have problems with reman alternators. The process that they use to judge what gets rebuilt and what just gets cleaned and repackaged is not too stringent. :rolleyes:
I had really good luck once I switched from Pep Boys reman. stuff to NAPA reman stuff. It costs a bit more, but does seem to be of better quality. Its not just vettes that have problems with reman alternators. The process that they use to judge what gets rebuilt and what just gets cleaned and repackaged is not too stringent. :rolleyes:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Honolulu HI
Re: [Alternator]: Well that one lasted 3 months.... (scorp508)
It has been in the 20s and 30s here lately. :) I have a hypertec chip turning the fans on sooner, and a 160 thermo. :)
I don't even keep my beer that cold :rolleyes:
Aloha,
Larry
